Students Getting Message About Higher Education

Deanie Wimmer ReportingMany Utah students are now registering for next year's classes, and the state's launched a new effort to help them make good choices. In case your child forgot to mention, there's a role for parents.

Here's your homework. Long before your students get to graduation, state education leaders want to catch them in 8th grade, with a message about preparing for college.

Brittany Jongejan, 8th Grader: "I know that if you don't go to college, you won't like, get as much money."

Kodi Porter, 8th Grader: "That we need to try to get good grades to go to college."

Students across the state are hearing the pitch, some from volunteers already in the workforce, to take tougher classes and plan ahead.

This state-wide push is in response to some staggering state numbers that show in a class of 33, fewer than 20 percent, maybe six or seven kids, will go on to get their college degree.

Amanda Covington, Utah Scholars Initiative: "From an economic development standpoint, this is critical. We're going the wrong direction in Utah as far as people getting a college degree and being prepared."

College readiness takes academic and financial preparation. Leaders with the Utah Scholars Initiative want to demonstrate those investments now will last a lifetime, not just for the kids, but very possibly their parents.

Zach, 8th Grader: "I want to get good grades so I can get an education and I can support them when I get older, and stuff."

Amanda Covington: "Everyone that touches a student's life needs to be repeating this message."

Just today, education leaders announced Utah high school seniors rank third in the nation for their performance on Advanced Placement exams, so many are hearing the message to take more rigorous courses.

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