27 Sep 2004
Students Learn the Value of Taking Challenging Courses in High School
DALLAS–During the last week in September and the first week of October, 11,363 Dallas Independent School District eighth grade students will benefit from 110 Texas Scholars volunteers representing 22 companies and organizations.
The Texas Scholars presentation, offered in either English or History classes, reflects several scenarios that encourage students to consider realistically the costs of living (rent, utilities, food and entertainment) and the potential salaries of a high school graduate versus an individual with an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree. Some math work contrasts the financial status at the end of the month, and volunteers pose the question, "What kind of living do you want to make?"
In place since1999, the Texas Scholars program is a collaboration of many Dallas businesses and organizations. The Greater Dallas Chamber recruits the volunteers, coordinates the dates, and supplies all 29 district middle schools with the Texas Scholars presentation materials. Students are encouraged to discuss what they've learned with their parents and make a commitment to take the more challenging courses in high school which will better prepare them for higher education. All who graduate from high school will receive medallions and recognition as a Texas Scholar, through support from the Dallas Rotary Club.
Volunteers from Sprint will be present at E.B. Comstock Middle School, 7044 Hodde St., on Monday, Sept. 27, and Tuesday, Sept. 28, and at J.L. Long Middle School, 6116 Reiger Ave., on Thursday, Oct.7.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP also has been involved with the program for several years; their volunteers will meet with L.V. Stockard Middle School students on Thursday, Oct. 7.
JPMorgan Chase volunteers will return to two schools with whom they've maintained a relationship. They'll be at E.H. Cary Middle School, 3978 Killion Dr., on Thursday, Sept. 30, and at T.C. Marsh Middle School, 3838 Crown Shore Dr., on Friday, Oct. 1.
The following companies and organizations are also participating: Dallas County Community College District, Texas Instruments, Intuit, Lockheed Martin, Goldman Sachs, Texas Workforce Commission, ACS, UPS, State Farm, Southwest Airlines, Deloitte & Touche, The Beck Group, Business Control Systems, Frost Bank, DART, Valtech, and Southern Methodist University.