What is the certificate for?

The Oak Ridge Schools Board of Education has approved the attainment of a Work Ethic Distinction for the first time this year for our 2020 graduates. What it entails is students providing a certificate to potential employers that they have been demonstrating desirable work skills.

How do I earn this certificate?

Students are to attain 20 points from the list shown below the image of the certificate here. When they provide evidence of success on these measures, they will be awarded a Work Ethic Distinction Certificate (also attached) that will serve as part of the student’s job application portfolio.

Logos of employers who have already indicated they are willing to grant preference in interviewing a student who presents a Work Ethic Distinction Certificate are included on the face of the certificate. The list of employers who want to join this effort is growing. An ongoing list of such partner employers will be kept at our local chambers of commerce.

Please have students obtain and complete the applications for this distinction and return them to Dr. Holly Cross, Supervisor of Career Readiness—ORHS CS244 before April 1, 2020 for recognition at graduation.

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*To receive the Oak Ridge Schools Work Ethic Distinction, a student must earn a minimum of 20 points from the list below and a regular high school diploma*

Work Ethic Distinction for Oak Ridge Schools

  1. Attendance Standard
  • (1 pt.) Student has no more than 5 absences from school during the senior year.
  • (2 pts.) Student has no more than 3 absences from school during the senior year.
  • (3 pts.) Student has no more than 1 absence from school during the senior year.
  1. Absence Standard
  • (1 pt.) Student has no more than one unexcused absence from school during the senior year.
  • (2 pts.) Student has no unexcused absences from school during the senior year.
  1. Tardiness Standard
  • (1 pt.) Student has no more than two unexcused tardies to school during the senior year.
  • (2 pts.) Student has no more than one unexcused tardy to school during the senior year.
  1. Discipline Standard
  • (1 pt.) Student has no more than one disciplinary action during the senior year.
  • (2 pts.) Student has no disciplinary actions during the senior year.
  1. Overall Grade Point Average Standard
  • (1 pt.) Student has an overall unweighted GPA of 2.0 to 2.9 at the end of the Junior year
  • (2 pts.) Student has an overall unweighted GPA of 3.0 to 3.4 at the end of the Junior year
  • (3 pts.) Student has an overall unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above at the end of the Junior year
  1. Drug Free Standard
  • (5 pts.) Student voluntarily presents written proof as being drug free.
  1. CTE Coursework Standard
  • (1 pt.) Student has successfully completed at least one CTE course by the end of the senior year.
  • (2 pts.) Student has successfully completed two CTE courses by the end of the senior year.
  • (3 pts.) Student has successfully completed three or more CTE courses by the end of the senior year.
  1. CTE Competition Standard
  • (1 pt.) Student has competed in an approved regional CTE competition during the senior year.
  • (2 pts.) Student has competed in an approved state CTE competition during the senior year.
  • (3 pts.) Student has competed in an approved national CTE competition during the senior year.
  1. TN Promise Standard
  • (2 pts.) Student is in good standing with TN Promise and has completed the required 8 hours of community service.
  1. Dual Enrollment/Credit Standard
  • (2 pts.) Student has successfully completed a Dual Enrollment or Dual Credit course and has been granted credit by any post-secondary institution during or before the senior year and/or earned at 3+ on an Advanced Placement test.
  1. Industry Certification Standard
  • (2 pts.) Student has received a national industry certification during or before the senior year.
  1. Enrollment in Post-Secondary Standard
  • (2 pts.) Student is registered or has applied at a post-secondary institution for the fall of the graduating year (may be tracked in Naviance and/or the Common App).
  1. Career Readiness Standard
  • (2 pts.) Student met college readiness benchmarks in two areas of the ACT.
  • (4 pts.) Student met college readiness benchmarks in four areas of the ACT.
  • (6 pts.) Student met college readiness benchmarks on all six areas of the ACT.
  1. Industry Awareness Standard
  • (1 pt.) Student participated in one college/career awareness event during the senior year.
  • (2 pts.) Student participated in more than one college/career awareness event during the senior year.
  • (3 pts.) Student participated in an internship or work based learning activity.