“Because I want a real job. Now, you have to have a diploma to dig ditches, and I want something that’s going to pay,” Angel said when asked why she wanted to earn her high school diploma. For more than a decade, Angel lived without a high school diploma and struggled from job to job
Cindy Jo had every intention of graduating from high school, but her daughter took priority. At just 16 years old, Cindy Jo found out that she and her boyfriend, Allan, were expecting a baby. In October of 1998, they welcomed their first child nearly two months early. Born at just 26 weeks, Cindy Jo’s premature
Some students can’t finish school due to factors beyond their control. Joshalyn was only 16 years old when she was diagnosed with lupus and became too ill to attend school. “I ended up dropping out,” Joshalyn said. “So over the years after that, I tried different programs, and they just didn’t work for me.” More
Javontae didn’t have a support system when he was a teenager and felt like he was being forced out of high school. During his senior year, he dropped out. “I left high school because I didn’t have anybody watching over me like that, and it was kind of hard to do it by myself, so
Less than a month after earning his high school diploma, Leslie was promoted. “I was offered a store manager position at Domino’s because I got my diploma,” Leslie said. “They heard about how I went to school even though I have children, a wife, church responsibilities, and other things to do.” At just 24 years
Christina grew up in and out of the foster care system. When she turned 18 during her junior year of high school, she could no longer stay with her foster family and ended up being homeless. She no longer had a physical address and, therefore, could not attend school. “I’m sure there was some sort
Between 2019 and 2021, suicide attempts by teen girls increased by more than 51% according to a study by the CDC. In just three years, the number of teen girls in our country who attempted to take their own lives increased by more than half. This news knocked the wind out of us and made
What are some ways you help your credit-deficient students over the finish line? School districts we work with often have a menu of options to help these students. Options include: Tutors After-school study sessions Summer school Credit recovery Modified grading (Pass/fail system) Teacher office hours Credit waivers Pace- and progress-focused coaches High School Equivalency (HSE)
Over the past two and half years, our long-held belief that student support is a group effort has been reinforced. There is no silver bullet that solves every academic and social-emotional problem. However, providing students with a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) to meet them where they are on their educational journey is an important
At only 21, Michael had already experienced the hardships of not having a high school diploma such as “not being able to take certain positions with employers, not being able to attend college, and thoughts of failure.” After a quick Google search, Michael found out about the Central Plains Degree Completion Program and immediately enrolled.