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Governor Bobby Jindal Highlights Dropout Prevention Pilot Program
04/04/09 - 10:18 AM
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HOUMA – Friday, Governor Bobby Jindal joined local officials and several area legislators in Houma to highlight a new dropout prevention pilot program that was recently launched this Spring in 14 school districts throughout the state – including Terrebonne Parish. Governor Jindal emphasized that while there have been improvements in student achievement across the state’s high schools over the past few years, the number of students dropping out of school before earning a diploma continues to be a serious problem.

Governor Jindal highlighted several statistics related to dropout levels, including that approximately 13,500 students are dropping out of high school yearly, and that number climbs to almost 16,000 if middle school students are included. In an effort to address this problem, the Louisiana Department of Education, in partnership with business groups, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Higher Education and the Department of Social Services, launched the Educational Mission to Prepare Louisiana’s Youth (EMPLoY). 

Governor Jindal said, “Dropping out of school before graduating or earning a GED often creates life-long challenges for those students – making it much more difficult for them to get a high-paying job and pursue a rewarding career path.  The high dropout rate also affects our workforce. We know we need a highly educated and skilled workforce in order to compete in this global, 21st century economy.

“Education is an absolutely critical part of building a skilled workforce in Louisiana – where businesses want to compete for our workers, and they bring their companies here to employ our people. The goal here is clear – we must provide our students with a high school experience where they learn skills they can apply in the real world – so they can see how the classroom is connected to the career path they want to take after graduation.”

The Governor said the 14 school districts selected to participate were identified based on the number of at-risk students who are at reading levels where they can be remediated and trained, the workforce demands in their region, industry support for work-study opportunities, and the capacity for training in high-demand fields at nearby LCTCS institutions.

In addition to Terrebonne Parish, the other participating school districts include, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Iberia, Jefferson, Ouachita, Rapides, St. Tammany, Vermilion and Winn Parishes

The Governor said the dropout prevention program focuses on providing GED support, coupled with industry-based certifications, dual enrollment, and Work-Ready Certificates, so that those students who don’t finish traditional high school will still have the knowledge and skills they need to enter the workforce.

Governor Jindal said, “This pilot program recognizes the fundamental truth that we have a problem with a high dropout rate here in Louisiana. We can’t close our eyes to this reality. We have to begin to take advantage of new initiatives that will meet these students where they are and work to connect them to successful career paths in the work place.

“Our high dropout rate in Louisiana is not just an education issue. It is a workforce issue – and fundamentally an economic issue.”

In the participating parishes, the program involves overhauling the state’s pre-GED/OPTIONS program to greatly improve college and career readiness among high school students. Governor Jindal said EMPLoY incorporates many of the proven intervention techniques used in another current program known as JAG – or Jobs For America’s Graduates.

Louisiana currently operates 40 JAG programs in 22 parishes. The program, which is designed for at-risk students and drop-outs working to earn a diploma or GED, also provides young people with additional opportunities, including the support of a mentor, a Work-Ready Certificate, a marketable skill and work experience.

The Governor highlighted that JAG has produced exceptional results in Louisiana with 90 percent of the at-risk, in-school students graduating with a diploma – and 94 percent being placed in a full-time job.

Governor Jindal said, “By using the JAG program as a model, we can expand these proven measures throughout the state to reduce our dropout rate.”

Governor Jindal said the EMPLoY program encompasses approximately 525 at-risk students who benefit from dual enrollment programs, industry-based certification training opportunities, and work experiences. 

As part of their GED program, the Governor said the 14 districts in the EMPLoY program are offering the following components to students:

·      A work-Ready Certificate

·      A scripted curriculum aligned with the career Work Ready Certificate and passing the GED

·      Content-relevant software designed to address the level of reading skills of the student

·      Dual enrollment and/or nationally recognized industry-based certification training

·      Pre-employability skills training

·      A one-on-one mentor

·      Work experience or internship

Governor Jindal said that in addition to the core 525 students receiving these services, there are also 1,200 students in the pilot program who are much further behind their grade level and have begun literacy software training to get them back on track for success so that they can begin these training programs as well.

In Terrebonne Parish, where approximately 375 high school students are participating in the pilot program, Governor Jindal said there is already proof that EMPLoY is working.

Specifically, the Governor noted that student reading scores have risen substantially, and South Terrebonne High School students are excelling in math. Further, he said that teachers report that students are motivated, excited about learning job skills, and encouraged to see their scores improving.

In terms of funding for the EMPLoY program, Governor Jindal said the cost of the program is $2.55 million which is being paid for with existing Department of Education and federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. There are no new state general funds being used.

For the 2010 fiscal year, Governor Jindal has recommended that the legislature approve $3.3 million in TANF funds to support both the JAG and the EMPLoY programs.

Governor Jindal said the state is also continuing to seek the support of business and industry to expand the program and to provide internships, apprenticeships, and mentors to participating students.

The Governor concluded by stressing the important role which educators and business leaders play in this pilot program.

Governor Jindal said, “This pilot initiative cannot be successful without the hard work of our local educators and the strong support of business and industry leaders. Our businesses play a central role at the state level and on the ground, helping us to identify needed training for our state’s workforce and partnering with schools to prevent children from dropping out.”