Wyoming Scholars is a business-led initiative. Twenty-two states are currently participating in SSI, in that they are receiving funds and operating SSI projects in their states or they have completed
their SSI projects and remained within the SSI Network. The program encourages students to enroll in a rigorous course of study, with support and incentives from local business leaders, who are brought into the classroom to inform students of the benefits of the program for their future success in higher education and employment.
As Wyoming Scholars begins during the 2007-2008 school year, we are seeking volunteers from the business community to contribute their time and talents to students in participating districts: Big Horn 3, Fremont 25, Laramie 2, Natrona 1, and Niobrara 1.
We invite you to be a partner in this exciting program. Volunteering in the Wyoming Scholars program requires only a few hours of your time but promises a lifetime of rewards in the future for today's students.
Workforce Predictions
"Already, the share of [prime age] workers, ages 30 to 60, in jobs that require some level of postsecondary education has doubled since 1973, rising from 30 percent to 60 percent. . . . At the current enrollment and persistence rates in postsecondary institutions, new workers with postsecondary education will increase by only 3 percent by 2020—compared with a 20 percent increase in the 1990s."
"Because of demographic shifts combined with shifts in workforce needs, we need to dramatically increase postsecondary attainment, especially among underserved groups. Without them, we simply cannot produce enough skilled workers for the jobs of the future[.]"
"The most obvious targets for increasing access to and persistence and diversity in postsecondary education are students in the upper half of the test-score distribution who come from working-class and low-income families . . . . These college-qualified students currently get lost in the middle, between students from affluent families and the lowest-performing students who get help from programs such as those mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind Act."
SOURCE: Carnevale, Anthony P. (2007, June 12). Access to opportunity The need for universal education and training after high school. Diplomas Count 2007: Ready for What? Preparing Students for College, Careers, and Life After High School, Education Week 26 (40). Retrieved June 19, 2007 from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2007/06/12/40carnevale.h26.html
"If the 2,095 high school dropouts from the Class of 2006 had earned their diplomas instead of dropping out, Wyoming’s economy would have seen an additional $545 million in wages over these students’ lifetimes."
SOURCE: (2007, February). Alliance for Excellent Education. Retrieved June 19, 2007 from http://www.all4ed.org/states2/Wyoming/index.html
"In 2006, one of the most comprehensive surveys of high school dropouts, The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts, found that most dropouts surveyed could have finished high school if only they had more challenging coursework, engaging classroom experiences, and access to extra help."
SOURCE: (2007). National Summit on America's "Silent Epidemic." Fact Sheet. Retrieved June 19, 2007 from http://www.silentepidemic.org/summit/index.htm
Incentives to Participate
As a sponsor of the Wyoming Scholars initiative, your company will derive many benefits, including:
- An opportunity to work with other companies and school leaders to collectively bring about measurable changes
- The chance to improve the future workforce in your local community
- Improved employee morale from helping deserving high school students improve their educational achievement
- Positive public relations for your company in the community and throughout Wyoming from your association with the program
Volunteer / Partner Info
Business support is critical to the success of the Wyoming Scholars program. The Wyoming Scholars program is recruiting business leaders to:
- Volunteer to give the Wyoming Scholars presentation to eighth and ninth graders shortly before they select high school courses (January and February). Participating as a presenter is an easy and effective way to engage students to take on greater challenges. Presenters attend one training meeting to learn how the initiative works (commitment: about 2 hours) and then give the presentation to students in eighth or ninth grade classrooms (commitment: about 2-4 hours).
- Support Wyoming Scholar students by providing tutoring and mentoring assistance.
- Provide incentives and motivators to help students stay focused and engaged in the Wyoming Scholars Core Course of Study.
- Sponsor senior recognition events.
