It is never too early to talk to your students about their goals for the future. Playful career dreams evolve quickly. A child’s college aspirations can start as early as first or second grade. Sadly, some children, especially those from lower-income families or those without college-going role models, give up on college just as early. Alaska now has the lowest college-going rate in the nation. Among today’s 9th graders, only 3 out of 50 will have a college degree in 10 years. If we set the bar high for Alaska’s children in elementary and middle school, we may be able to reverse this trend.

When students expect to continue their education beyond high school:

• elementary school children invest more time in homework and studying.

• middle school students are more likely to take challenging classes such as Algebra I

When you encourage your students and their parents to see college or postsecondary training in their future, you help build a college-going culture in Alaska – and you may influence a dramatic change a in a child’s life.