1. Wisconsin Covenant An Opportunity for Wisconsin’s 8 th graders!

2. What is the 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, college is possible.

3. 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?

4. If you answered yes to those questions, you can sign the covenant! You can sign the Wisconsin Covenant Pledge from April 14, 2008 to September 30, 2008. Students cannot sign the pledge at any other time.

5. What do I have to do?

6. Parts of the Covenant

7. I will graduate from a Wisconsin high school.

8. I will maintain a B average while in high school.

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

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

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

12. 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.

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

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

15. 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. You can expect to have a place at a Wisconsin post-secondary institution and financial assistance if their 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.

16. 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. Not being recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar does not prohibit anyone from attending a post-secondary school.

18. High school Transition 9th Grade = Transition 9th Grade = Transition Work hard to get good grades. Work hard to get good grades. Become involved in a wide variety of activities. Become involved in a wide variety of activities. Select appropriate 10th grade courses. Select appropriate 10th grade courses. Plan meaningful summer activities. Plan meaningful summer activities.

19. Continue… 10th Grade = Exploration 10th Grade = Exploration Work hard to get good grades. Work hard to get good grades. Be involved in activities and develop your leadership skills. Be involved in activities and develop your leadership skills. Sign up for the PLAN test. Sign up for the PLAN test. Explore and discuss college options. Explore and discuss college options. Select appropriate courses for the 11th grade. Select appropriate courses for the 11th grade.

20. Continue… 11th Grade = Planning 11th Grade = Planning Work hard to get good grades. Work hard to get good grades. Continue to be involved in activities and develop your leadership skills. Continue to be involved in activities and develop your leadership skills. Register for the PSAT in September. Register for the PSAT in September. Think about and explore college options. Think about and explore college options. Register for the ACT/SAT early in the spring. Register for the ACT/SAT early in the spring.

21. Continue… 12th Grade = Decision 12th Grade = Decision Continue to work hard to get good grades. Continue to work hard to get good grades. Sign up to take ACT/SAT test if necessary. Sign up to take ACT/SAT test if necessary. Complete college applications in the fall Complete college applications in the fall Complete financial aid and scholarship application forms. Complete financial aid and scholarship application forms. Make the decision on what college you want to attend. Make the decision on what college you want to attend.

22. I need to earn at least these credits for graduation English4 credits Math2 credits Soc. St.3.5 credits Science2 credits Physical Ed.1.5 credits Health1 credit Electives9 credits TOTAL=23 CREDITS

23. I am recommended to take these courses to prepare for college 4 credits of English 4 credits of English 3 credits of Math 3 credits of Math 3 credits of Science 3 credits of Science 3 credits Social Studies / History 3 credits Social Studies / History 2 credits World Language 2 credits World Language Additional elective credits related to your career interests. Additional elective credits related to your career interests.

24. Why would I want to continue my education after high school?

25. 2007 Salary and Unemployment Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

26. HS Dropout Nat. avg. annual salary: $22,256 Nat. avg. annual salary: $22,256 Unemployment rate: 7.1% Unemployment rate: 7.1% Quality of life issues: Quality of life issues: Health Insurance Issues - Most jobs won’t have. Health Insurance Issues - Most jobs won’t have. Housing - Very limited to what you can afford it. Housing - Very limited to what you can afford it. Occupational Advantage - Not very likely. Occupational Advantage - Not very likely. Recreation - Will have to make choice between “fund stuff” and necessities. Recreation - Will have to make choice between “fund stuff” and necessities.

27. HS Grad Nat. aver. Annual salary:$31,408 Nat. aver. Annual salary:$31,408 Unemployment rate:4.4% Unemployment rate:4.4% Quality of life issues: Quality of life issues: Health insurance issues - Better chance for Some benefit. Health insurance issues - Better chance for Some benefit. Housing - More options to select from. Housing - More options to select from. Occupational Advancement - Limited for promotion. Occupational Advancement - Limited for promotion. Recreation - Limited funds for “fun stuff” Recreation - Limited funds for “fun stuff”

28. 2 Year College Nat. avg. annual salary:$38,480 Nat. avg. annual salary:$38,480 Unemployment rate:3.0% Unemployment rate:3.0% Quality of life issues: Quality of life issues: Health insurance Issues - Many jobs have benefits Health insurance Issues - Many jobs have benefits Housing - More options where you can live. Housing - More options where you can live. Occupational Adv. - Opportunity to be promoted Occupational Adv. - Opportunity to be promoted Recreation - More capability to spend on “fun stuff” Recreation - More capability to spend on “fun stuff”

29. 4 Year College Nat. avg. annual salary:$51,324 Nat. avg. annual salary:$51,324 Unemployment rate:2.2% Unemployment rate:2.2% Quality of life issues: Quality of life issues: Health insurance - Most jobs will have benefits Health insurance - Most jobs will have benefits Housing - Owning a home is not a financial burden Housing - Owning a home is not a financial burden Occupational Adv. - Most jobs have opp. to adv. Occupational Adv. - Most jobs have opp. to adv. Recreation - Many forms of rec. are available Recreation - Many forms of rec. are available

30. Advanced Degree Nat. avg. annual salary:$69,212 Nat. avg. annual salary:$69,212 Unemployment rate:1.6% Unemployment rate:1.6% Quality of life issues: Quality of life issues: Health insurance - Almost always included Health insurance - Almost always included Housing - Several options for home ownership Housing - Several options for home ownership Occupational Adv. - Great opportunity. Occupational Adv. - Great opportunity. Recreation - Financial security to make “guilt free” Recreation - Financial security to make “guilt free”

31. Questions?

32. Thank you and have a nice day