The Oregon Diploma: Opening the Doors of Opportunity Oregon Department of Education

Reality Check What kind of life do you want to live? Are you making the decisions that will help you achieve your goals?

Think about it… What do you want to do after high school?

Do you want to work right away? Do you want to keep going to school?

Do you want to work inside? Do you want to work outside?

You have many options: -Entering the workforce -Going to college -2-year college -4-year university -technical school -Joining the military

However, more education does mean earning more money. Education Average Annual Earnings Average Lifetime Earnings High school dropout$22,000$1.1 million High school diploma$31,000$1.4 million Associate degree$38,000$1.8 million Bachelor’s degree$50,000$2.5 million Source: College Board, Education Pays, 2004.

Whichever option you choose, do you know what will help get you there?

Earning your Oregon Diploma! Successfully complete the credit requirements Show you have mastered the Essential Skills Meet the personalized learning requirements

Credit Requirements Ask your school counselor or a teacher about your school district’s credit requirements for graduation Find out which classes you will need to take to meet these requirements

Essential Skills Essential skills are considered “essential” because they are so important to your success in the workplace, college, and life in general The essential skills include: reading, applying math, speaking, writing, using technology, personal management, thinking critically, global awareness, and civic & community engagement

Essential Skills You can learn these skills in a variety of your classes throughout your school years You must show you have mastered these essential skills before you can earn an Oregon Diploma Ask your counselor or teacher about your options for demonstrating you have mastered these skills

Essential Skills Essential for Work? Your employer will expect you to: –Read and understand instruction manuals, employee handbooks, , and many other work place documents –Listen actively and speak clearly when communicating with customers and coworkers

Essential Skills Essential for Work? Your employer will also expect you to: –Use technology to keep up to date on the latest advancements no matter what job you are doing –Demonstrate personal management and teamwork skills by working successfully with coworkers and taking responsibility for your own work.

Essential Skills Essential for Life? As an adult you will be expected to: Read billing statements, insurance information, contracts, letters, voter’s guides, food labels Apply mathematics when you balance a budget, pay bills, cook Demonstrate civic and community engagement by voting, and practice good citizenship

Personalized Learning Requirements To make sure your Oregon Diploma is meaningful to you personally, it also includes: Education Plan and Profile Career Related Learning Experiences Extended Application

Personalized Learning Requirements: Education Plan and Profile Every Oregon student begins building his/her education plan and profile in the 7 th grade Building a plan and tracking progress can help you reach your goals Ask your counselor or teacher for more information about your Plan

Personalized Learning Requirements: Career Related Learning Experience Gives you the opportunity to experience different careers that interest you Example Job shadow Service learning Allows you to learn more about different career paths

Personalized Learning Requirements: Extended Application You need to be able to show that you can use what you know and apply it to real-world situations Example Senior Project Portfolio Ask your counselor or teacher for specific information on how to meet this requirement

Remember… Earn your diploma and doors of opportunity will open to you. It will also give you a better chance to live the life you want to live.

Reality Check So, what kind of life do you want to live? Are you making the decisions that will help you achieve your goals? Find out now:

For more information visit the Oregon Department of Education Diploma Website: