1. ARE YOU READY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL? Facts Students and Parents need to know

2. What does the future hold? Are you ready?

3. 49 of 50 highest paying occupations require a college degree or higher 70% of the 30 fastest-growing jobs will require an education beyond high school 40% of new jobs will require at least an associate’s degree

4. DID YOU KNOW… The six fastest growing jobs locally are computer related and require education beyond high school?

5. Did You Know… A person with a college degree on average makes twice as much money as a person with only a high school diploma?

6. Kentucky full time wage and salary workers, 25 years & older, 2004 average

7. 30-40% of the jobs available in seven years have not yet been created.

8. Over a lifetime, workers with a college degree will earn nearly $1,000,000 more than workers without a college degree. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004-05

9. DID YOU KNOW You cannot join the military without a high school diploma?

10. Nine of the ten fastest growing occupations are in Healthcare or Computers

11. U.S. Department of Labor A Few of the Fastest Growing Occupations 2005-14 Home health aides Network systems & data communications analysts Computer software engineers, applications Forensic science technicians Physical therapists

12. A closer look at jobs of the future.

13. Video Game Designer Education: A college degree is a must to land a job at a well-known company. Salary: Video game designers can earn $50,000 a year right out of college. If a designer is part of a team that produces a hit video game, they can earn $100,000 or more.

14. Electrical Engineering Education: Electrical Engineer requires a Bachelor’s Degree. An Electrical Engineering Technician requires an Associate’s Degree. Salary: Average salary for Electrical Engineers is $52,000. Average salary for Electrical Engineering Technicians is $46,000.

15. Architect Education: 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree. A three-year training period under the supervision of a licensed architect is also required. One then has to pass the nine-part Architect Registration Examination. Salary: The median annual salary of an architect is $56,620

16. Physical Therapist Assistant Description: Assist the physical therapist. Tasks include doing exercise, massage and ultrasound with patients. Education: An associates degree and perhaps additional certifications (CPR, First Aide). Salary: $37,800

17. Interpreter/Translator Education: A BA degree is almost always required. Salary: Salaried interpreters and translators have median hourly earnings of $15.67. Chinese and Japanese interpreters and translators can earn $45 to $50 an hour. Highly skilled interpreters and translators, such as high-level conference interpreters who work full-time can earn more than $100,000 a year.

18. Be Prepared! Many of our students are not prepared to be successful at the next level…..

19. Take a rigorous high school curriculum. 4 years of Math 4 years of English (English I-IV) 3-4 years of Social Studies (US History, World History, World Geography, Economics, Government) 3 years of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) 2 years of the same World Language 1 year Arts & Humanities At least one credit in Technology

20. DID YOU KNOW? Students who take advanced classes in high school are more prepared for college- no matter what their grade is.

21. DID YOU KNOW? Students who take Algebra and Geometry by the end of the 9 th grade are more likely to go to college.

22. Are we expecting enough from our students?

24. Why aren’t some students successful? What Adults Say: Students don’t care They come to school unprepared They aren’t trying their hardest What Students Say: We’re not being challenged Teachers and counselors underestimate out potential Our concerns are dismissed

25. No matter what their circumstance, students need to take responsibility now to ensure a successful tomorrow

26. You Need to Be Prepared Your future boss will accept nothing less than the best. What skills will you have to make you stand out from the rest?

27. How can students prepare themselves for postsecondary education and the workplace?  Be prepared for school each day and have regular attendance  Make homework a priority  Be prepared to take rigorous courses  Set goals early and STICK TO THEM!  Investigate career interests  Get involved in your school.

28. And parents should:  Make school a family priority - attendance, homework, doing assignments on time, etc.  Reward academic achievement  Communicate regularly with teachers and counselors  Help your child begin to learn about careers & discuss possible career paths.  Demand that your kids have the rigorous courses they need.

29. Your school must:  Develop and maintain high expectations for every student  Provide challenging and rigorous courses for every student  Address the academic and career planning needs of every student  Communicate regularly with parents

30. Follow these steps and feel confident you are prepared for what lies ahead!

31. 5516 E. Alexandria Pike Cold Spring, KY 41076 (859) 442-7012 Barbara B. Stonewater, Ph.D. Executive Director Jenny Miller-Horn Special Projects Coordinator Lucy Riffle Middle School Initiatives Council@nkces.org