Ready for the Real World is a National Action Strategy adopted by hundreds of alliances that have partnered together through America’s Promise. This strategy’s goal is to engage every middle-school student through service learning and career exploration. This in turn will increase motivation of 11-14 year olds to achieve success in their schools, communities and later their career. This is such an important outreach because early adolescence is a pivotal time. The choices children make at this age will set them on a course for active citizenship and engaged learning in high school.