Latest news with #NationalFFAOrganization
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Almost 1 in 3 High School Graduates Don't Feel Ready for 'Real Life'
Fact checked by Sarah ScottA new survey shows 32% of high school graduates say school didn't prepare them for the real world. Some high school graduates feel pressured to become social media content creators. Parents can help fill the gaps to help prepare their kids for life on their schoolers are mastering square roots, cell division, the Revolutionary War, and how to write the perfect essay. But, what about learning more practical skills? Case in point: My teen recently called me to ask how to boil water—I wish I were kidding! Meanwhile, I'm certain she isn't being taught how to fill out a tax return or other real-life applications in high school. Yet, in one short year, she'll be off on her own! Now, a new study by online education company K12 reveals that both parents and students have reservations about how ready kids are for life after high school graduation. According to 300 recent high school graduates and 200 American parents, these eye-opening realities were also teased out: 32% of high school graduates say school didn't prepare them for the real world. 59% of students aren't ready to deal with credit, taxes, or insurance. 38% of kids feel unprepared to manage money. 30% of grads say they feel unready to handle stress and have mental health concerns. It's also worth noting that more than half of recent grads say social media is shaping what they plan to do for their careers, with some admitting to feeling pressure to become content creators. There seems to be a divide between what kids feel they are ready for and how their parents view their preparedness. Consider that 84% of parents believe their kids will be more successful than they were at the same age. But parents also expressed concerns about their child's ability to handle life post-high school, especially when it comes to their emotional states, with 81% saying they've shared worries with their kids about their trajectories after receiving their high school diploma. Now that my soon-to-be high school senior knows how to boil water, my plan is to figure out what else I can do to get her ready to take on an independent life away from home. Adam Hawf, K12 Superintendent, tells Parents that the first step in promoting 'real life' readiness is to make sure your child can come to you with any questions and receive guidance without judgment. Then, it's all about tackling one thing at a time. 'Gradually imparting skills that are key to survival, such as how to file taxes, manage health insurance, or create a monthly budget, can go far toward establishing competence and confidence,' Hawf says. Scott Stump, the CEO for the National FFA Organization, a national, school-based, youth leadership and career readiness program, encourages parents to make these learning experiences hands-on when possible. For instance, you might have your child observe and help you complete a tax return or credit application. 'Kids learn by watching us,' Ariana Hoet, PhD, Executive Clinical Director, Kids Mental Health Foundation (KMHF), says. 'While it may seem boring, it's helpful to have kids participate in adult things like taxes and paying bills.' As a Millennial mom, I graduated to 'the real world' without social media—and even the internet!—as a factor in my career-planning process. But as this study points out, 1 in 3 kids are feeling the pressure when it comes to succeeding online. Am I alone in being resistant to the idea of my child chasing likes for money? Hawf says that although this is a relatable sentiment, parents should dig deeper to understand why their child wants to be an influencer. 'Is it freedom, creativity, money?' he prompts parents to understand. No matter the reason, according to Hawf, 'This isn't so much about having to go viral. It's about a generation growing up in a world where online success is highly visible—and often glorified.' Kids are going to aim for what they see, agrees Dr. Hoet. 'If they are on their phones for hours a day, they are exposed to content creators for hours a day,' she says. What parents can do to counteract this influence is to expose them to other career paths. 'I think it's important that high schoolers be regularly reminded that there is a world outside of social media,' concurs Stump. Of course, it's OK if a teen ends up as a happy and successful creator. But as he says, 'There are a multitude of different career pathways that exist outside of the realm of our social feed.' Ultimately, parents need to recognize that their kids are growing up in a different world than they did, according to the experts. 'Gen Z is coming of age in an era of constant visibility, economic instability, and information overload,' Hawf says. More access to information can help today's grads gain exposure to more career opportunities than ever, but Hawf cautions that this can also lead to decision fatigue and emotional burnout. That said, as Dr. Hoet rightly notes, parents worrying about their kids isn't anything new! It's still our job to help our grads navigate the next step of their lives, the best we can. Most importantly, we just need to be there for them during this huge life transition. Read the original article on Parents
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sterling High School FFA plants interest in all things ag with visit to Challand
Feb. 20—STERLING — Sterling High School's National FFA Organization chapter, commonly known as FFA, visited students at Challand Middle School on Tuesday to teach them about the agricultural organization and how they can get involved. FFA which is celebrating National FFA Week through Saturday, is a national youth organization founded in 1928 that promotes and supports leadership development, personal growth and success through agricultural education. More than 1 million student members aged 12-21 in more than 9,235 chapters nationwide are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities and explore a variety of careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry, according to the National FFA Organization's website. Each chapter elects its officers, and members participate in various agricultural and leadership development activities, competitions, and state and national conferences. Sterling High School FFA member Grace Wetzell said her chapter is also involved in several volunteering and community events, including Farmapalooza. "A lot of FFA is about leadership and career development," Wetzell said. "We do a lot of career development events that give us insight into a lot of different ag industries. In October, we go to the national convention with FFA members from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. We just hit one million national members." CDEs are events and competitions that allow students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in specific areas of agriculture, including public speaking, plant science, livestock judging, agricultural mechanics and more. FFA members can also engage in hands-on projects outside the classroom, known as supervised agricultural experiences, which can range from running a small landscaping business or working for an agricultural employer to community service or research work. CMS Agriculture Education teacher Julie LeFevre wants people to know that "agriculture is for everyone, not just for farm kids." She said the state of Illinois pays FFA membership dues for every student enrolled in an agriculture education class. "Mrs. LeFevre makes agriculture fun for kids that might not know a lot about it and have never seen or been to a farm before," CMS Ag Club student Ella Springman said. "She makes them feel like they've experienced it when they haven't. She takes the topics we learn about and does hands-on activities that give us a better understanding." LeFevre said CMS's Ag Club is a way for students to learn more about agriculture and the FFA before deciding if they want to join their middle school chapter. She invited the SHS FFA chapter to speak with the students and provide them a closer look at what they can expect should they continue at the high school level. "We're here today to teach them about the different opportunities in ag that they'll have in high school," Wetzell said. "We teach them about the different classes that they can take and how those can turn into a career. We have ag mechanics, horticulture, woodworking, and animal science, and then our biggest one for freshmen is Intro to AG. There's also veterinary trade school, ag education and even crop insurance agents." For more information on how Sterling middle school students can get involved with FFA, contact LeFevre at 815-626-3300, ext. 2115, or visit
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Moss to run as Astoria FFA state officer candidate
The Astoria chapter of the National FFA Organization will have a state officer candidate, Sam Moss, who will go through three days of interviews at the Oregon FFA State Convention March 20 to 23 in Redmond. Moss has served as Astoria FFA president and as a Northwest District offer for the past two years. If elected, he would spend the next year traveling around the country, and abroad, promoting agriculture and the FFA, and would also visit every high school in Oregon with an FFA chapter, leading workshops. In addition, he would meet with industry leaders around the state and help plan the 2026 FFA state convention.
