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For Immediate Release
August 27, 2004

 

CBIA URGING CONNNECTICUT STUDENTS TO TAKE TOUGHER COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL
Public Service Announcements Distributed to State Radio and TV Stations

 

Too many high school graduates are not prepared to enter the workforce or college. In fact, they are not prepared for anything beyond high school, according to a new study by the American Diploma Project.

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) is urging students to prepare for the future and has launched a public service advertising campaign urging them to take tougher courses in high school that will better prepare them for the future.

Studies by the U.S. Department of Education have shown that seven out of 10 students graduate from high school without completing the courses needed to succeed in college or in the workplace.

Of the students who do go on to college, 49 percent require remedial courses. And students who take remedial courses are significantly less likely to complete their college degrees.

“Students who take more rigorous courses in high school are better prepared to be successful after high school; require less remediation in college or in the workplace; and enter more highly paid, satisfying careers,” said Lauren Weisberg Kaufman, CBIA vice president of education and job training.

Radio and television stations across the state have received the public service announcements (PSAs) as part of CBIA’s Connecticut State Scholars Program. The program is a partnership between the business community and the public school systems, and challenges all high school students to take tougher classes that will prepare them for success in college, in future careers and throughout their lives.

The 30-second PSA, recorded in both English and Spanish, urges students to work hard now for a successful future.

“If you’re going to high school in Connecticut, you have an important decision to make.
If you take advanced courses like algebra, geometry, biology, physics, chemistry and a language, chances are you’ll earn far more money during your working years.
That’s because you’ll get a much better job. And you’ll be able to afford a better life for you and your future family.
So, take those courses.
Get a better life.
A message from the CBIA Education Foundation and the Connecticut State Scholars Program.”

CBIA is one of just 12 state business organizations nationwide selected by the Center for State Scholars to receive a $300,000 grant to start up a scholars program. CBIA’s grant is being used for pilot programs in New Haven and Danbury public schools and at Vinal Technical High School in Middletown.

CBIA is Connecticut’s largest business organization, with 10,000 members.


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For more information contact Nancy Andrews, CBIA media relations manager, at 860-244-1957 or andrewsn@cbia.com.

350 Church Street · Hartford, CT 06103-1126 ·
Phone: (860) 244-1900 · Fax: (860) 278-8562

cbia.com/newsroom