Students—and parents—are often unclear about the benefits of a technical certification or college degree. In some cases, schools and parents prepare students and tell them that they should go to college. Other times, students, especially those whose parents did not invest in postsecondary education or career preparation, are not prepared for a future that develops their own workforce potential. To compensate, educators have introduced school-to-work programs for students to recognize the connection between school learning and career development. Career pathway programs and career and technical education programs include this connection in their delivery mechanisms and mission. Pass It On complements this instruction and informs students about why and how to prepare for a career and/or to attend college.

Pass It On incorporates information on training and educational requirements that match interests, abilities and career aspirations. It recognizes that college isn't the only avenue that individuals can take to become highly employable. It includes information on what individuals in certain careers do on the job, how many years beyond high school it will take in an educational or training program to qualify for specific jobs, and how much money individuals can expect to earn in those jobs and occupations. This provides students with a tool kit that will help them navigate the world of work, which is key to being successful in the labor market. Pass It On helps middle school students understand the value of education versus other choices.

Pass It On is easy to use for adults and interesting for students; it includes 45 main talking points in a question/answer format; extension questions, supplemental activities and discussion questions to encourage interaction and learning; and ideas for illustrating information for visual learners. The more students understand about the advantage gained by investing in postsecondary education or technical training, the more they will be prepared to pursue a career. The consistency of information reinforces other positive peer/family/school information that students receive about going to college. With Pass It On, we can help students realize that they are not simply scrambling to get their work in on time; together we are preparing students for their future.

Pass It On meets the needs of teachers, after-school program staff, youth mentors and tutors, Parent Teacher Organization members, neighborhood organization staff, behavioral interventionists, principals, school district curriculum staff, counselors, community based organizations and parents who work with middle school kids by providing a tool to communicate with them about the realities of life with/without an education. It is adaptable and can be used in a classroom, after-school program, at home, and club or camp setting. It is intended to be a discussion stimulator for teachers, mentors, and families to incorporate into their existing schedules. Its question/answer format requires minimal planning or preparation on their part. The nine topics have been determined in collaboration with middle school teachers and experts in workforce development to focus learning on critical subjects and career pathways.

Topic 1: Education: The Key to Your Future
1-1 The Costs of Living
1-2 Dropouts Earn Less
1-3 College Grads Earn More
1-4 College: Not the Only Route to Success
1-5 Supporting a Family Is Expensive

Topic 2: More Education = Better-Paying Jobs
2-1 How Many Students Graduate?
2-2 We Want You to Succeed
2-3 Dropouts Often Don't Get Jobs
2-4 Two-Year Programs Can Be a Good Option
2-5 The Advantage of an Advanced Degree

Topic 3: Studying, Learning, and Getting Good Grades
3-1 How to Get Good Grades
3-2 Reading Is the Foundation
3-3 Making the Most of Study Time
3-4 Think Beyond Getting Good Grades
3-5 Challenge Yourself

Topic 4: School Subjects and How They Relate to Careers
4-1 Math Skills Are Important
4-2 Reading, Writing: They're Vital
4-3 How Society Works
4-4 Science Teaches Critical Thinking
4-5 Language Insights

Topic 5: Ready or Not: High School, Here We Come
5-1 Prepare Now for Harder Classes
5-2 Freshman, Junior ... What's That?
5-3 Maximize Your Choices
5-4 How Important Is It, Really?
5-5 Harder Classes Carry More Weight

Topic 6: How Interests Now Spark Careers Later
6-1 Let Interests Guide Educational Path
6-2 Interests Lead to Many Options
6-3 Sorting Out Job Titles
6-4 Lots of Careers in Healthcare
6-5 Match Subjects to Interests

Topic 7: Navigating to the Job of Your Dreams
7-1 Becoming Well-Rounded
7-2 Job Requirements Are Getting Tougher
7-3 Becoming a Professional Athlete
7-4 Alternatives to a Four-Year Degree
7-5 What Can I Do with a Two-Year Degree?

Topic 8: There Are So Many Jobs. How Do I Decide?
8-1 Job Satisfaction Is More Than Money
8-2 Consider Your Interests, Favorite Subjects
8-3 Computer Skills Are Handy in Many Ways
8-4 Are You a CEO in the Making?
8-5 Improve Your Odds

Topic 9: College Life: Much More than Studying and Classes, It's fun!
9-1 Many Colleges to Choose From
9-2 More Time to Explore
9-3 New Experiences on the Horizon
9-4 How to Choose a College
9-5 More than Hitting the Books