35 JAG-K Programs Earn Top National Honor
TOPEKA – For the sixth consecutive year, the Jobs for America’s Graduates national organization announced that the Kansas affiliate earned the organization’s 5 of 5 Award.
Thirty-five Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) programs earned the prestigious 5 of 5 Award for 2020.
The evidence-based program helps students prepare for post-secondary education and employment opportunities. There are 78 programs in schools across Kansas, serving more than 4,200 students. JAG-K students had a graduation rate of 96 percent for the Class of 2020.
The 5 of 5 Award is bestowed upon those JAG programs that meet or exceed performance measures in five categories: graduation rate, successful outcomes, employment, post-secondary enrollment and job placement. JAG has a 12-month follow-up period with all seniors as part of its evidence-based, data-driven national model.
See below a list of all Kansas schools to receive the award.
“The 5 of 5 Award is important because it shows our JAG-K students are meeting and exceeding goals,” said JAG-K President/CEO Chuck Knapp. “While a 96 percent graduation rate is impressive, we are most pleased that our graduates are prepared for successful futures. The JAG model has proven that all students, regardless of barriers, can be successful leaders and reach their full potential.”
JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades seven through 12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. Participants in the program face multiple barriers to success that their JAG-K Career Specialist helps them overcome through a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model.
The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 40 different states and territories. It is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include AT&T, Capitol Federal, John Deere, Synchrony Financial and Taco Bell.
To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook, and on Twitter at @JAG_Kansas.
Schools to receive the JAG “5 of 5 Award” and it’s Career Specialist:
Atchison High School Lucus Lanning
Augusta HS Christy Pray
Basehor-Linwood HS Jessica Glover
Beloit HS Hiedi Rexroat
Concordia HS Jordan Champlin
El Dorado AE Clarence Wagner
Emporia High School (11-12) Alexandria Macias
Field Kindley HS (Coffeyville) Shayla Reliford
Garden City HS Lynzee Beery
Garden City Alternative Caleb Stewart
Great Bend HS (11-12) Jennifer Hopkins
Greensburg Kiowa Co Marcus Mitchell
Holcomb High School Amy Wickwar
Hutchinson High School Marcus Moeder
Independence HS Kristie Hawley
Junction City AE HD Karns Tyra Marteen
KC Schlagle HS (10-12) Karla Pledger
KC Washington HS (11-12) Jacob Handy
KC Wyandotte HS (11-12) Cynthia Garner
Labette County High School Lee Reliford
Lawrence Free State HS Rebecca Metz
Liberal High School Joel Hannagan
Pittsburg High School Jessica Thomas
Pratt High School Shaphan Staats
Royal Valley HS Jeff Gustin
Salina Central (11-12) Andrew “Herm” Dominguez
Salina South (11-12) Melissa Gates
Salina West AE (11-12) Kipp Keffel
Shawnee Heights HS (11-12) Liz Mollett
Shawnee Mission North Michael Giarla
Topeka HS (11-12) Teresa Leslie-Canty
Turner HS (11-12) Jordon Crusoe
Wichita Heights HS Ti’Juana Hardwell
Wichita Southeast HS Ashley Baughns
Winfield High School Tierney Hopkins