The Hoosier state scored big at the annual Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) National Training Seminar, receiving several awards for overall performance. JAG is a state-based, national non-profit organization within the Indiana Department of Workforce Development dedicated to helping at-risk young people graduate from high school and make successful transitions to postsecondary education or meaningful employment.
Eight JAG high school programs, one out-of-school program and two regional programs were recognized for achieving the “5 of 5 National Performance Standards.” The “5 for 5” standards are measured by graduation rates, placement rates, positive outcomes, full-time placement rates and full-time jobs.
“Indiana’s JAG program has consistently delivered outstanding results by helping our young people stay in school in order to gradate, pursue post-secondary education and secure quality jobs,” said Scott Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “This program has carried high importance to Governor Daniels, which is why he participates as a vice chairman of the National JAG Board of Directors.”
The following JAG programs were nationally recognized for achieving the “5 of 5 National Performance Standards.”
High Schools: Eastern Hancock High School, Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Adams High School and Clay High School in South Bend, Peru High School, Jefferson High School in Lafayette, George Washington Community High School in Indianapolis and Lincoln High School in Vincennes.
Regional Programs: The Northwest Indiana and Southwest Indiana regions.
Out-of-School: YouthBuild Indy was one of only three out-of-school programs recognized. The out-of-school program is designed to serve young people who have disconnected from the traditional school system and are interested in obtaining a GED to continue to post-secondary education or find employment.
State Awards: Senior, Multi-Year, Alternative Education and Out-of-School programs. The Senior and Multi-Year Programs serve as dropout prevention programs working to keep students in school through graduation and successfully transition to post-secondary education or employment. To date, the Indiana JAG program has had more than 6,000 participants with 90 percent of students graduating from high school or obtaining their GED—45 percent of those students continue to post-secondary education.
For more information regarding Indiana’s JAG program log onto www.in.gov/dwd or visit the JAG's National website at www.jag.org.