Program Using Business Leaders to Motivate Students|ABC 13

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Program Using Business Leaders to Motivate Students

posted 10:18 pm Fri September 14, 2007 - Pittsylvania Co., VA

They're getting down to business in Pittsylvania County schools. Trading easy classes for a more rigorous high school load. The new pilot program, Commonwealth Scholars, uses business leaders to motivate and challenge students, beginning in the eighth grade. A good thing too because we talked with a few them today, who already have big plans.

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Zhane Stone, Eighth Grade Student - "I know what my goal is, I wanna be a medical examiner."

Tyler Capps, Eighth Grade Student - "Computer programmer."

Zachary Preston, Eight Grade Student - "I wanna be a heart surgeon."

Even at eighth-grade, they're already setting the bar pretty high.

Ann Cassada, Pittsylvania County Schools - "Our children need to be shown the way, they want to do well, their parents want them to do well, this program maps it out for them, it gives them a path."

But they won't be alone on that road. Leaders like Laurie Moran will be there to help.

Laurie Moran, Chamber of Commerce - "We have to start with that workforce before they become part of the workforce."

She says they'll do whatever it takes such as speaking to small groups, mentoring one-on-one, and even taking kids from the class to the job site.

Cassada - "We find that they'll do much better if someone on the outside, shares with them the value of what we're trying to do."

Studies show that high school students who take demanding courses are nearly twice as likely to graduate from college.

And students who take a harder high school load will earn 13 percent more at their jobs, that's regardless of whether they attend college.

Moran - "We need students at all job levels whether it requires a phd or just a high-school education."

Cassada - "Every child, we can't leave any child behind every child has to be prepared."

And students agree, that's a big relief.

Stone - "You'll know what you're going into."

Preston - "Feel more comfortable in going into those classes and have like a head start."

But they'll tell you, the thought of it all is still a little scary.

Capps - "Prepare for it already, I'm still so young, that's crazy."

Pittsylvania County Schools is one of 11 schools in the state chosen to participate in the Commonwealth Scholars program.

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