FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    March 27, 2008

EDUCATION 102 PROGRAM EXPANDING TO ENCOURAGE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS,
PARENTS TO PREPARE NOW FOR THE FUTURE

            A popular program that encourages eighth grade students and their parents to become more responsible for making the life decisions that are critical during this time in their education is expanding.

            Education 102: Are You Ready?, began a year ago as a project sponsored by the Alva Public Schools, Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Northwest Technology Center to encourage Alva Middle School students and their parents to begin developing plans for their future education needs and exploring career options.

            This spring the program will expand to include students and parents at Fairview Middle School.

            “The eighth grade year is a time of transition and a critical time that can have long-lasting effects on the success of a student,” said Dr. Steve Lohmann, executive vice president at Northwestern and one of the planners of Education 102. “Parents, grandparents and guardians have to take responsibility now for their child’s future.”

            Students leaving eighth grade for high school will face decisions that will affect their class schedules for the next four years. Students must choose between a college preparatory/work ready curriculum that positions them to pursue higher education and/or career training upon graduation, or with parental consent, enroll in a core curriculum that leads directly to graduation.

            Also, students must attain a sufficient score on Oklahoma Core Curriculum eighth grade reading tests to qualify for an Oklahoma driver’s license.

            In addition, students who wish to qualify for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, or OHLAP, can begin registration by their eighth grade year and must register by their sophomore year in high school. Students who qualify and complete the program can receive a grant covering the cost of tuition at any of Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities.

            The Education 102 program will expose eighth graders to educational opportunities available to them through class trips to Northwestern and Northwest Technology Center. Programs at Alva and Fairview middle schools will provide additional information for students and parents.

            Additional information about the Education 102 program will be released in the coming weeks.

-NW-

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