COUNT ON SCHOOL COUNTING

In addition to rigorous academic content, the business community will need you to have acquired a professional-level work ethic. We will expect you to have developed and practice the kinds of behaviors that the workplace will demand of you.

A survey of over 600 Presidents and CEOs conducted by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce asked NJ employers to rank order the most important traits needed by entry-level employees, which were:

1. Attendance and Punctuality
2. Oral Communications Skills
3. Ability to Work in a Team
4. Written Communications Skills
5. Technical Skills

These survey results, as well as extensive discussions with educators across the state in 1999 and 2000, were the foundation for the criteria of the School Counts NJ program. In order to earn a School Counts credential, you must:

• Achieve a "C" or above in all academic courses, except Algebra II, Chemistry and Physics. If you take Algebra II, Chemistry and Physics, you must at least achieve a passing grade.
  
  
• Maintain a 95% or better attendance and punctuality record.
  
  
• Complete high school in eight consecutive semesters.
  
  
• Take more courses than defined by the minimum graduation requirements.

If you achieve all of these specific goals, you will be designated as a School Counts student and given a certificate of achievement that you can use in your college application or during job interviews.

Schools will be issuing School Counts annual student credentials to students who meet the criteria of the program. If you earn the credential, you can take it on a job interview and/or list it on your college application as an honor received.

Your must get your School Counts credential from your teacher or school counselor. To be valid, it must be signed by your school principal, or other school official, dated, and embossed with the official Learn Do Earn seal or your school’s official seal.