WHAT THE STATE DEMANDS VERSUS WHAT WE KNOW YOU NEED.

To earn a high school diploma, as of September 2006, New Jersey requires that you complete the following sequence of courses:

• 4 years of Language Arts
• 3 years of Mathematics
• 3 years of Science
• 3 years of Social Studies
• 1 year of World Language
• 3.75 years of Health and Physical Education
• 2 years of Visual and Performing Arts and/or Practical Arts
• 1 year of elective course work

The state requires four years of Language Arts, but does not insist that students take college-prep English. Nor does the state define the type of mathematics or science that students should take. The State merely defines the number of years of coursework students must complete.

That means that you can earn a high school diploma by taking easy courses like General Math, Consumer Math, and Earth Science. It means that you don’t really have to break a sweat to graduate from high school.

We’re here to tell you that easy courses will not prepare you for college, work or life. We’re here to define what it takes for you to be ready. You can hear our message though interesting stories presented by real and virtual business people. We have online presentations for you to view, real business people talking about their real jobs, and lots of other information that will tell you what you need to do.

Doing the minimum in middle and high school, or simple compliance with the minimal graduation requirements, will ensure that you will earn the minimum in the workplace. We don’t want minimally prepared employees. Get ready. Learn more. Do more. Then you will earn more.