An Opportunity for Wisconsin’s 8 th graders!

What is the Wisconsin Covenant?

The goal of the Wisconsin Covenant is for 8th grade students to aspire to higher education. If students are willing to work hard during high school and stay focused, college is possible. The goal of the Wisconsin Covenant is for 8th grade students to aspire to higher education. If students are willing to work hard during high school and stay focused, college is possible. What is the Wisconsin Covenant?

Are you currently in the 8 th grade? Are you currently in the 8 th grade? Are you a Wisconsin resident and do you attend school in Wisconsin? Are you a Wisconsin resident and do you attend school in Wisconsin? Do you plan to graduate from a Wisconsin high school? Do you plan to graduate from a Wisconsin high school? Are you thinking about going to school after high school? Are you thinking about going to school after high school? Are you willing to work hard and do your best while in high school? Are you willing to work hard and do your best while in high school?

If you answered YES to those questions, you can sign the Wisconsin Covenant Pledge! Students can sign the pledge in 8 th grade and up until September 30 th of their freshmen year. Students can sign the pledge in 8 th grade and up until September 30 th of their freshmen year.

What do I have to do?

I will graduate from a Wisconsin high school.

I will maintain at least a B average while in high school.

I will take classes in high school that will prepare me for entrance into higher education and will meet or exceed college entrance requirements.

I will demonstrate good citizenship and engage in activities that support my community.

I will apply for state and federal financial aid in a timely manner.

I will apply and do all that is necessary to gain admission to a University of Wisconsin System institution, Wisconsin Technical College, and/or Wisconsin private college or university.

If I do these things, what can I expect to get? Support from the Wisconsin Covenant Community. Support from the Wisconsin Covenant Community.

When I fulfill the pledge requirements, what can I expect? You’ll be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar. You’ll be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar. You’ll be guaranteed a place in a University of Wisconsin System institution, a Wisconsin Technical College, or a Wisconsin private college or university. You’ll be guaranteed a place in a University of Wisconsin System institution, a Wisconsin Technical College, or a Wisconsin private college or university. You’ll be given a financial aid package based on your family’s federally-defined financial need. You’ll be given a financial aid package based on your family’s federally-defined financial need.

Why should I sign? Signing the Wisconsin Covenant Pledge encourages you to set goals and the Wisconsin Covenant community will give you valuable post- high school information. Signing the Wisconsin Covenant Pledge encourages you to set goals and the Wisconsin Covenant community will give you valuable post- high school information. You can expect to have a place at a Wisconsin post-secondary institution and financial assistance if your family needs it. You can expect to have a place at a Wisconsin post-secondary institution and financial assistance if your family needs it. If a student who fulfills the pledge and goes to school out of state or doesn’t need financial assistance, the student will still be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar. If a student who fulfills the pledge and goes to school out of state or doesn’t need financial assistance, the student will still be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar.

What if I don’t sign the pledge or don’t fulfill the pledge? This is an optional program and you are not required to sign the pledge. If for some reason you do not fulfill the pledge requirements, you can still apply to colleges and for financial aid. This is an optional program and you are not required to sign the pledge. If for some reason you do not fulfill the pledge requirements, you can still apply to colleges and for financial aid. Not being recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar does not prohibit anyone from attending a post-secondary school. Not being recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar does not prohibit anyone from attending a post-secondary school.

I will graduate from a Wisconsin high school. To be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar: You must receive a diploma from a Wisconsin high school. To be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar: You must receive a diploma from a Wisconsin high school. Tell friends and family of your goal to graduate from high school. Tell friends and family of your goal to graduate from high school.

Graduation Requirements English__ credits Math__ credits Soc. St.__ credits Science__ credits Physical Ed.__ credits Health__ credit Electives__ credits TOTAL=__ CREDITS

I will maintain at least a B average while in high school. What does this mean? What does this mean? You need to have a career cumulative GPA of 2.85 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher. You need to have a career cumulative GPA of 2.85 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher.OR You need to earn a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher for at least 5 semesters and never earn less than a 2.0 in any semester. You need to earn a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher for at least 5 semesters and never earn less than a 2.0 in any semester.OR You need to earn a GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) during senior year and show consistent improvement since the beginning of high school. You need to earn a GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) during senior year and show consistent improvement since the beginning of high school.

Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is based on a scale of 1-4 and then those numbers are averaged. A=4B=3C=2D=1F=0 Understanding Your GPA For Example: On your report card you earn: 1-A 4-B’s 1-C =18 18÷6=3.0 GPA

So, if you receive a grade lower than a B in a class, you can still be a Wisconsin Covenant Student!!!! So, if you receive a grade lower than a B in a class, you can still be a Wisconsin Covenant Student!!!! Challenge yourself to do your best in every class in high school… Challenge yourself to do your best in every class in high school… Attend and participate in all classes Attend and participate in all classes Study for tests and quizzes Study for tests and quizzes Complete all homework assignments Complete all homework assignments Ask for help if needed Ask for help if needed

I will take classes in high school that will prepare me for entrance into higher education and will meet or exceed college entrance requirements. What does this mean? What does this mean? You must successfully meet the requirements for the college(s) to which you want to attend. You must successfully meet the requirements for the college(s) to which you want to attend. You should take classes that will best prepare you for college, not because you believe the class will be easy. You should take classes that will best prepare you for college, not because you believe the class will be easy.

What classes should I take? There is no list of mandatory classes that a student must take. There is no list of mandatory classes that a student must take. You should review admission requirements with your counselor early to help plan your high school coursework. You should review admission requirements with your counselor early to help plan your high school coursework. Remember, high school graduation requirements are not necessarily the same as college entrance requirements. Remember, high school graduation requirements are not necessarily the same as college entrance requirements.

I will demonstrate good citizenship and engage in activities that support my community. What does this mean? What does this mean? You are involved in extra curricular activities that contain an element of community service and can document at least You are involved in extra curricular activities that contain an element of community service and can document at least 30 hours of service. OR You are involved in a school sponsored service learning experience that meets a high school graduation requirement. You are involved in a school sponsored service learning experience that meets a high school graduation requirement.OR You have designed your own service learning experience and shared results and reflections with teachers and peers. You have designed your own service learning experience and shared results and reflections with teachers and peers.

Extracurricular Activities Connect You to School Community Many students who are involved in at least one school activity are more successful academically. Many students who are involved in at least one school activity are more successful academically. Commitment will help you maintain a high expectation of yourself in regard to academics and citizenship. Commitment will help you maintain a high expectation of yourself in regard to academics and citizenship. Coaches and teammates/members can help you reach your goals. Coaches and teammates/members can help you reach your goals.

In addition to involvement in your community, you need to stay out of trouble. In addition to involvement in your community, you need to stay out of trouble. To be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar, you cannot be convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor, or be permanently expelled from any school. To be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar, you cannot be convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor, or be permanently expelled from any school.

Ready to work hard and go to college? Review the Pledge details with your family. Review the Pledge details with your family. Sign the Wisconsin Covenant Pledge. Sign the Wisconsin Covenant Pledge. Fill out the Enrollment Form. Fill out the Enrollment Form. Get your parent or guardian to sign the form. Get your parent or guardian to sign the form. Submit all materials before the September 30 th deadline. Submit all materials before the September 30 th deadline. Any questions? Contact the Office of the Wisconsin Covenant: Any questions? Contact the Office of the Wisconsin Covenant: (608) local (866) toll free

Additional OPTIONAL Slides

To increase one’s quality of life! Health Care and Insurance Health Care and Insurance Shelter and Housing Shelter and Housing Occupational Advancement Opportunities Occupational Advancement Opportunities Recreation and Entertainment Recreation and Entertainment All of the above impact the quality of a person’s life! Why would I want to continue my education after high school?

National average annual salary: $22,256 Unemployment rate: 7.1% HS Dropout 2007 US Bureau of Labor Statistics

HS Dropout Health Insurance Issues Most jobs won’t have much if any health insurance Hard to keep a job if you are unable to treat sicknesses Your children may not have health insurance coverage

HS Dropout Housing Very limited to what you can afford to rent

HS Dropout Occupational Advancement Not very likely to have opportunity for advancement Choice of jobs will be limited

HS Dropout Recreation Will have to make choices between “fun stuff” and “necessities”

National average annual salary: $31,408 Unemployment rate: 4.4% HS Graduate 2007 US Bureau of Labor Statistics

HS Graduate Health Insurance issues Better chance that benefits will be included, although they still might be limited

HS Graduate Housing You will have more options to select from in your community May still need to rent, but could potentially own your own home

HS Graduate Occupational Advancement Still might need further education to qualify for promotions

HS Graduate Recreation Limited funds May still need to make choices between “fun stuff” and necessities

National average annual salary: $38,480 Unemployment rate: 3.0% 2-Year College 2007 US Bureau of Labor Statistics

2 Year College Health Insurance issues Many jobs will have benefits attached to your contract, salary, or hourly wage. This would be things like paid sick days and health insurance.

2 Year College Housing Even more options for where you live and what type of housing you would prefer. Owning a home could be a realistic financial goal.

2 Year College Occupational Advancement Opportunity to be promoted is much higher. Employer may recognize your commitment to education and pay for your further training.

2 Year College Recreation With better job security, you may have more capability to spend money on “big ticket items” such as: snowmobiles, fishing boats, ATV’s Job is likely to provide vacation time with pay. That’s right! Getting paid to sit in the sun!

National average annual salary: $51,324 Unemployment rate: 2.2% 4 Year College 2007 US Bureau of Labor Statistics

4 Year College Health Insurance issues Most if not all jobs will have attached benefits to your contract, salary, or hourly wage. It may be more than just with a two-year degree. You would get many sick days and even personal days.

4 Year College Housing Owning a home is a not a financial burden. Good s

4 Year College Occupational Advancement Most jobs have opportunity to advance or earn promotions Continued education is often paid for-at least partially

4 Year College Recreation Many forms of recreation are available with less financial strain. For example: tickets to sporting events or concerts, taking trips away from home, and several other “bigger ticket items”

National average annual salary: $69,212 Unemployment rate: 1.6% Advanced Degree 2007 US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Advanced Degree Health Insurance issues Almost always included with a contract, salary, or hourly wage Most definitely would include paid sick days and personal leave

Advanced Degree Housing Several options for home ownership Might consider investment properties, like a cabin “up north”

Advanced Degree Occupational Advancement With this level of training, it’s possible to choose your own worksite

Advanced Degree Recreation Financial Security to make “guilt free” decisions about spending for recreation Most things you dream of doing can easily become a reality.