Eight new states have been chosen for participation in the State Scholars Initiative, a national business/education partnership effort designed to increase the number of students who take a rigorous curriculum in high school, the U.S. Education Department announced today.

The states are: Colorado, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

"Rigorous academic coursework in high school is the critical foundation students need whether they plan to attend college or enter the workforce," said U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. "In today's global economy, we must encourage students to pursue more challenging courses of study in high school to better prepare them and put them on a path towards future success."

Under the State Scholars Initiative, each state will receive up to $300,000 during a two-year period to implement scholars programs in at least four school districts. Local business-education partnerships will work with students in those districts, encouraging them to take a rigorous course of study, one that will give them a boost whether they go to college after they graduate or straight to work.

The Education Department's Office of Vocational and Adult Education funds the project, which is overseen by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education in Boulder, Colo.

The Scholars Core Course of Study includes:

• Four years of English.
• Three years of math (algebra I and II and geometry).
• Three years of science (biology, chemistry and physics).
• Three and a half years of social studies (U.S. history, world history, geography, economics or government). And,
• Two years of a language other than English.

Scholars programs use a high-impact strategy to motivate students to complete rigorous high school courses that prepare them for college and careers. The program utilizes business people to make presentations to eighth-graders just before they select their high school courses.

Business volunteers help students understand the career options and monetary benefits of taking challenging courses. Students may receive academic support, incentives and special recognition that help ensure their success, especially in the more difficult courses.

The eight new states join 14 others previously chosen for participation. They include: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Washington.

Besides the State Scholars Initiative, other efforts are underway to encourage students to take exacting courses. For instance, the Education Department released on April 19 a parent's checklist for student academic success. A key item on the list is to persuade children to take more advanced placement courses in high school.

Research shows that students who take rigorous courses in high school stand a far greater chance of succeeding in college, according to the checklist. AP students are much more likely than their peers to graduate from college in four years or less. The four-year college graduation rate for students who take two or more AP courses is 32 percentage points higher than for those who don't take any AP courses. And, the rate for students who take just one AP course is 16 percentage points higher than for those who don't take any.

For more information on the State Scholars Initiative, see the program's Web site at www.wiche.edu/statescholars.

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