WHY should you become involved with the State Scholars Initiative?

• You can be the voice that could help make a difference in a student’s career.  Students respond positively when they hear a new and powerful message from someone they can respect and admire.
• Graduation and achievement rates in Massachusetts are already too low to meet current workforce needs.  Companies complain that applicants are poorly prepared for typical entry-level jobs because they simply lack the necessary basic education skills required in today’s labor market.  You can help reverse this trend through involvement in the State Scholars Initiative, which prepares students with rigorous courses and real-life experiences in internships or service-learning projects.
• 80 percent of the top 50 fastest-growing jobs will require education beyond high school and 40 percent of all new jobs will require at least an associate degree, according to recent projections.  (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (2000). The Outlook for College Graduates, 1998-2008).
  
  Employers need employees, even for jobs that don’t require postsecondary education, who are proficient in reading, math and science.  They need employees who can solve problems, work in teams and communicate effectively.
• Research shows a direct correlation between challenging high school coursework and success in the modern workforce, the military and postsecondary education.  The State Scholars Core Course of Study is designed to provide the knowledge and skills that have been proven to influence future success.

WHAT can you do for a Massachusetts State Scholar?

• Visit classrooms to motivate students with your example, and demonstrate the skills needed to be successful!
• Stay Involved by meeting with students periodically or hosting “job shadowing” opportunities.  Many volunteers find this the most rewarding way to interact with students and make a meaningful impact on their lives. 
• Donate Incentives for students to help motivate them to continue working hard throughout their State Scholars careers.  Many State Scholars ask, “What do I get for being a State Scholar?”  Aside from the intrinsic benefits of a better-skilled, higher-paid job, students like tangible rewards for their hard work in high school.  Incentives such as scholarships, discounts on goods or services, or paid internships offered by the business community are a great way to encourage students to maintain their level of commitment.  Contact State_Scholars@mbae.org for more information!
• Provide support to help students graduate with better skills and preparation.  Fund a tutoring program, allow employees to mentor students, offer an Algebra Academy or study group on another subject to help struggling students pass tougher courses. Provide discounted or free classroom materials or supplies, donate to the  scholarship fund, offer job shadowing experiences, paid internships, or sponsor an end-of-the-year celebration for the State Scholars!.
• Join forces with other business owners and community members to develop innovative and supportive ways to keep students motivated and encouraged to complete their State Scholars course requirements. 
• Share news about the State Scholars Initiative with your colleagues, employees and business associates.  Engage your local business organizations in supporting this innovative and successful program.  Spread the word!

HOW can you become involved in State Scholars?

Become a State Scholars volunteer and talk with students about the importance of the decisions they make and the work they do to pave the way for future success.

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WHEN do I have to participate in State Scholars?

• Training sessions will be scheduled in the fall and late winter in your community.  These mandatory 90-minute sessions cover all you need to know!  A typical agenda includes:
  
  
  • Overview of the program,
  • Presentation by the school principal, and a
  • Run-through of the classroom presentation. 
  • Schedule a visit to the school
    
    
  There will be plenty of time for questions and answers and you will receive all materials you will need.
• School visits are generally held in the spring when students are selecting their courses for the following year.  At the training session, you will be asked to sign up for a time-slot that fits your schedule.  Classroom visits generally last for 50 minutes.

These are the only commitments business volunteers need to make.  Of course, we hope you will get involved further, but you are welcome to be part of the program simply by agreeing to attend the training session and visit the school once!

Business Benefits!

Volunteers and Sponsors have:

• Opportunities to work with other companies and school leaders to collectively bring about measurable change in our local schools –
• The chance to improve the future workforce in your local community
• Improved employee morale from helping deserving high school students increase their educational achievement
• Positive public relations for your company in the community and throughout Massachusetts from your association with the State Scholars Initiative
• Opportunities to build relationships with students – your future employees - and your customers!

Students who take and complete rigorous classes in high school are prepared to be successful after high school, whether in a two or four-year college, a certificate program, a company training program or the military. 

Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the State Scholars Initiative during the 2006-2007 school year:

• Accton Technologies
• Acupuncture & Herbal Healthcare
• Arbonne International
• Baystate Health
• Birch Manor Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center
• Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce
• Cambridge Credit Counseling Corporation
• Cambridge Savings Bank
• CC Properties, LLC.
• Century Bank
• Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
• Chicopee Savings Bank
• Chicopee Visiting Nurse Association
• Citizens Bank
• Coachravi
• Commonwealth Engineering
• Creative Financial Group
• Distinctive Marketing Inc.
• EMC Corporation
• Fairmount Associates
• Framingham State College
• Grynn & Barrett, Inc.
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
• Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield Head Start
• Innovative Business Systems, Inc.
• Intel Massachusetts
• Johnson O'Connor LLP
• Law Offices of Gina Torres-Vanasse
• Lifetime Home Loans, Inc.
• Marlborough Chamber of Commerce
• Massachusetts Biotech Council – BioEd Foundation
• Minuteman Ventures LLC
• Murphy Insurance Agency
• New England Merchants
• Noble & Associates
• PeoplesBank
• REMAX First Choice Real Estate
• SCEPTRE
• Stoneham Savings Bank
• The Career Place
• The Millipore Foundation
• Traveler's Supply, Co.
• University of Massachusetts Medical School
• University of Massachusetts at Amherst
• Westover Job Corps Center
• WSRS Radio