Central Falls, RI: Surrounded by Central Falls High School students, school counselors, a number of Rhode Island education agencies, and in conjunction with Governor Donald L. Carcieri, the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority (RIHEAA) today launched the new and improved www.WaytogoRI.org at Central Falls High School. www.WaytogoRI.org is a free, internet-based program that helps students, parents and educators explore educational options, discover a wide variety of occupations, and make plans to achieve education and career goals.

In response to concerns about student preparation and “college readiness,” Rhode Island’s educational agencies have worked together to provide students with the tools they need to pursue a postsecondary education or a career of their choice.

“Our intent with this portal is to support, supplement and complement the various initiatives that are underway in our state’s educational systems and to provide students with the tools to succeed in the most cost effective ways available,” said William H. Hurry, executive director of RIHEAA.

One area of www.WaytogoRI is dedicated to the new high school diploma system (click on “New High School Diploma System” on the homepage), which was approved in January 2003 and amended in September 2008 by the Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education. To receive a Rhode Island public high school diploma, students must, among other requirements, demonstrate proficiency in six core areas of learning by applying skills and knowledge at a rigorous level.

“This new Web presence is the foundation of an overall communications effort to raise awareness of the new high school diploma system,” said Governor Carcieri. “It provides easy access to important information, and not just for students and teachers. We have also designed the site for parents and for the business community as they each have significant stakes in the quality of our education system.”

www.WaytogoRI.org Features:

• Get information on the new high school Diploma System and graduation requirements
• Create individual learning plans
• Search for careers that best match interests and skills
• On-line campus tours
• Apply online for admission to colleges and universities (pilot program)
• Collect and distribute academic transcript data electronically (pilot program)
• View video and blog presentations of selected careers
• Obtain average salary and the education and/or training required for careers
• Get ready for the SAT, ACT and GRE
• Study vocabulary and math, learn test taking strategies, and take practice exams
• Locate scholarships and other financial aid
• Search and compare colleges/universities based on a variety of topics
• Apply for financial aid
• Build your resume, create cover letters and practice for job interviews
• Labor market information

www.WaytogoRI.org Casting Call

www.WaytogoRI.org invites Rhode Island high school students to audition at one of their casting call events to be eligible to win a $1,500 scholarship and MacBook computer and to be featured on the www.WaytogoRI.org website and Facebook Fan Page.

The casting calls will take place on:

• October 19 – RIAAO Regional College Fair at CCRI in Warwick from 1 to 3:30 p.m., where nearly 5,000 Rhode Island students will be in attendance. Students must be registered to participate before 3:30 p.m.
• November 15 and 16 – Rhode Island Latino Expo at the Rhode Island Convention Center from noon to 5 p.m., an event targeting thousands of Hispanic residents in Rhode Island. Students must be registered to participate before 4:30 p.m.

As part of the casting calls, students will be invited to audition to answer questions about career and college planning. Each audition will last up to a minute and a half. After both casting calls, auditions will be screened and the top auditions will be reviewed by a ‘celebrity team’ of judges to make the final grand prize selection. For more information log on to www.WaytogoRI.org.

ABC6 Collaborating on Video Contest

In conjunction with television station ABC6, a video contest also is being launched to provide Rhode Island public high school seniors the opportunity to express their creative talent on issues of importance to teens. Participating seniors will develop an idea for a 30-second television commercial. The first place winner (seniors can enter individually or in teams of two, with the approval of their high school) will ultimately work with ABC6 to produce the TV spot, which will air on Channel 6, the Rhode Island Cable News Channel, and on abc6.com. Details can be found on www.WaytogoRI.org, under “New High School Diploma System.”

The Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority (RIHEAA) is Rhode Island's designated guarantor for the Federal Family Education Loan Programs. Since 1977, RIHEAA has guaranteed over $2 billion in student loans to over 300,000 borrowers. RIHEAA is also responsible for the administration of the RI State Grant and Scholarship Program and CollegeBoundfund, Rhode Island's 529 College Savings Plan.

State offices/departments collaborating on the Rhode Island high school diploma system communications effort are: Governor Donald L. Carcieri’s Office, the Board of Regents and the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority, and the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Rhode Island.

Related links

• Way To Go RI
• Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority