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Tonya Papanikolas ReportingThe governor and higher education leaders are trying to get students in Utah to take more challenging courses in high school. To do that, they have launched a new program in the state called Utah Scholars. It's funded by a two-year federal grant.
Hillcrest High School is one of 14 schools in the Granite, Jordan, Park City and Provo school districts that will be participating in this program. Kids who sign up for the scholars initiative are expected to take a rigorous academic load. Education leaders say it will only benefit them in the future.
National studies prove that students who take challenging classes in high school are better prepared for college and have access to higher-paying jobs down the road. Just ask college freshmen Drina Garcia and Liberty Afeaki, who got their high school diplomas from the Academy of Math, Engineering and Science.
Drina Garcia, U of U college freshman: "It's really prepared me for college because now that I am in college, it doesn't seem as hard, as difficult. It seems normal to me."
Liberty Afeaki, U of U Freshman: "If no one's pushing you, you just don't have that feeling of going any farther."
This new state program wants to encourage more kids to work hard so they're inviting businesses leaders to come talk to Middle School students to tell them the importance of a challenging education.
Richard Kendell, Commissioner of Higher Education: "I think we're hoping that our business partners will help kids see the connection between their work in high school and what they can do later."
Scholars students are expected to take four years of English and math, three and a half years of social students, three years of science and two years of a foreign language. Once they do, they will receive a medal when they graduate, and it helps them qualify for federal academic grants as they apply for college.
