Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office  

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL 36507                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Amanda Outlaw    

Regional Extension Agent, Urban

June 10, 2008                

An Investment in Education

Who are your role models? Is one of the questions that are asked of students that participate in the Welcome to the Real World simulation presented by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Role models should encourage you and believe in you. Students are empowered to understand that life has value, that each student has talents and potential, that they are responsible and should learn to make their own decisions. Our mission is to encourage students to stay in school because there are costs and benefits that can lead to educational success. By giving up some free time to study or learn a new computer skill, students can enhance employability outcome.

In the Welcome to the Real World simulation students are given an opportunity to make decisions for themselves and sometimes for a family based on a monthly salary. Some students make hard choices with great consequences like buying a Hummer instead of getting a bus pass so they can afford child care for their two year old. The students experience real life situations like the ones adults face on a daily basis.

Students also learned in this career and money management program several pieces of vital information. 1. Education is the basis of general and permanent prosperity. 2.  The global revolution in technology has created new economic realities and workforce requirements. 3. In order to be competitive, and sustain a lifestyle that they have enjoyed while living with their parents, they will need more than a high school diploma.

The high school dropout rate for Alabama is our number one education problem. Alabama ranks 42nd to 47th in the nation in recent years according to the Southern Education Foundation report.  Role models are paramount to inspiring students to stay in school.  Role models are found in the home and community. They have a passion and understanding of the benefits of a good education.  Community role models like the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce who encouraged their members to give back to students by volunteering to give them a real glimpse into the real world. The volunteer s consulted with the students when they had to make transportation decisions on buying cars, groceries, paying rent and opening checking accounts during the Welcome to the Real World simulation. The time and experience these business partners gave to the students was an added benefit to their understanding of living within a budget.

As the Gulf Coast readies for new industries headed our way, are we ready with an educated workforce?  Businesses must have an educated source of workers or they cannot survive and survival is vital to the bottom line, profits. 

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System offers educational  programs that can enhance skills that are taught in your schools. To find out more information, feel free to contact us 251-574-8556 or at aoutlaw@aces.edu.

Email address: aoutlaw@aces.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

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