75 by 35: Where We Are Going

In the 10 years since the Student Achievement Initiative was first created, the Chehalis School District has come a long way in terms of equipping our students to become successful, contributing members of their community when they leave our walls. Student achievement has simply become a part of our district culture, a value that is woven into the fabric of everything we do, rather than a stand-alone effort.

Last week, our Friday Connect newsletter looked at the history of the Student Achievement Initiative. This week, we look at the journey ahead. Our next student achievement goal is called 75 by 35. We are working to ensure that, by the high school graduating Class of 2035, 75% of all W.F. West High School graduates will earn the credentials they need to be responsible, contributing citizens. In this week's Friday Connect, learn more about this goal and what the next steps in the journey will look like.

Studies tell us that by 2031, more than 70% of jobs will require some post-secondary training. By aiming for 75% of our graduates attaining a degree, certification or professional training, we are setting them up for success as part of the workforce of the future.

A steering committee of district staff came up with the concept of 75 by 35. Committee members wanted a goal that was inclusive of all of our students' future pathways. We recognize that an estimated 25% of our students may take career paths that will not require traditional post-secondary education. These goals might include: joining a family business; becoming an entrepreneur; becoming a missionary; or choosing to be a stay-at-home parent.

Our goal is 100% of our graduates find their passions and purpose and complete their education in our district equipped for the next leg of their journey, whatever that looks like. Below is a visual representation of the 75 by 35 goal. Each of these members of the Class of 2024 have very different college and career pathways and each of their journeys is important to the Chehalis School District.

Our 10 years of work through the Student Achievement Initiative has shown us that its not enough to start having career and college readiness conversations when students enter high school. Meaningful change takes a coordinated K-12 effort. The Class of 2024 were 2nd graders when the Student Achievement Initiative began and have gone through the Chehalis School District with consistent messaging pointing them toward the many pathways available to them.

This effort takes many forms and can look different from one building to another or one classroom to another. The important component is that the messaging is there for every student at every step. Some of our career and college readiness efforts in the district include:

• W.F. West's annual College & Career Fair or its Apprenticeship Panel and Trades Fair
• On-Campus visits from representatives of different careers at W.F. West and Chehalis Middle School
• Teachers displaying their degrees or certificates and college affiliations in their classrooms
• Teachers and students wearing college or career related clothing on Wednesdays
• Orin Smith students having lunch on the campus of St. Martins University after this year's Olympia Junior Program theater presentation
• James Lintott 2nd Graders having a field trip this month to the Centralia College campus

The Class of 2035 is this year's 1st graders. As you can see below, these students have already begun to hear messages about the many career and college pathways available to them and have started their own exploration of what their passions and purpose are. We asked them what they want to do when they grow up and here are some of their answers.

We know that our students don't stop learning when they leave our buildings. Kids are learning all the time, every day - at school and at home. We are partners with parents, who know their children the best, and have the greatest impact on decisions they will make. We invite parents and families to assist in achieving the 75 by 35 goal together. Some of the ways families can help include:

• Talk About It: Tell your kids about your own career and what kind of degree or training you had to complete and what you like and dislike about the work. Encourage your friends and family to talk about their careers, especially those who work in fields that interest your student.
• Learn Together: If your student has a question about a career field, help them think about how to access information about that career - the library is a great place to start. Parents of older students, consider accessing the free career pathway resources created by Kevin Fleming, who visited our district this year
• Take it On The Road: If you went to a college or trade school, take your student to visit the campus or arrange to visit a program or campus of their choosing. If appropriate, arrange a visit or job shadow at a workplace that is of interest to them.
• Meet Your Own Goals: Research shows that students tend to set higher educational goals if their parents also achieved their own educational goals. If you have been meaning to complete a GED, degree, certification or professional training program, it's never too late to set that example for your students. Our Cornerstone Program has resources that can assist parents in earning a degree, certification or training to advance their career. You can read more about how Cornerstone is assisting parents in the May Cornerstone Update HERE.

Families of Chehalis School District students, don't forget that there will be no school Friday, May 24 and Monday, May 27. May 24 was originally scheduled as a snow make-up day and is not needed and the May 27 closure is in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

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