PSS Announces The Rising Stars Initiative

Performance Support Systems (PSS) announces the Rising Stars Initiative, a new program to make a dramatic, positive difference in the lives of 1 million youth. Strong for Life, an online personal development system for teens, is now available free to young people through participating schools and youth programs.

The company has launched the initiative to address a growing awareness that a shocking number of young people are not adequately prepared for the challenges they'll face beyond high school. The National Center for Education Statistics reported that over 40% of students entering a four-year college degree program in 2005 failed to graduate after six years.

Experts say the issues go beyond academics. A 2006 joint study, "Are They Really Ready to Work," focused on employers' complaints that young workers are "woefully ill-prepared" for the demands of the workplace, citing poor critical thinking and communication skills. According to the 2012 AARP-Society for Human Resource Management "Strategic Workforce Planning" study, over 50% of organizations report a lack of professionalism and work ethic in younger workers. Paul Tough, author of How Children Succeed (2012), concludes that grit, curiosity and character strength count far more than a stellar GPA.

The stated purpose of the Strong for Life online personal development system is to help high school students build the core skills and strengths they'll need to succeed at the next level. A one-year subscription to the system retails for $325. But through schools and youth programs participating in the Rising Stars Initiative, it's now available to teens free. Teachers, coaches and activity sponsors supervise students' use of the free program with a customized online dashboard, which they obtain for a nominal fee.

The program's developer, Dr. Dennis Coates: "What's more important than preparing teens to be strong, successful adults? Education is critical. Sports, extracurricular activities and work experience can also help. With Strong for Life, we take chance out of the equation. It supports these activities by helping teens develop a dozen specific personal strengths and five communication skills that set them up for success."

Gordon Myers, author of the book, Street Smart Kids, has used the program with high school students. "The kids relate to it immediately when they see their personal strengths and capabilities called out by name. Suddenly it's clear exactly what they can improve and how to get it done. This is a self-development coaching program that works continuously to permanently enhance the way kids deal with others and work through challenges on the way to living successful, fulfilled lives."

About Performance Support Systems
Performance Support Systems, Inc. (PSS), is a software company based in Newport News, Virginia. Since 1987, PSS has delivered proprietary assessment and development resources to help people become stronger for the challenges of life and work. Strong for Life is a revolutionary behavior-based online personal development coaching system to help teens ingrain the core skills and strengths they will need to perform at their best.