Heather Barrett, a science teacher at East Hall High School, one of the SPDG GraduateFIRST project schools, has been working for years on keeping all her students alive long enough to graduate. “I definitely think our campaign reaches some kids. And I really do believe it has had an impact” she said. The campaign is the creation of the “Great Hang Up” group she formed to teach students about the dangers of texting while driving.
Dr. Linda Curry, Director of Middle Georgia GLRS, discusses the North Star Project. Students develop their "North Star" plan which is a visual representation of the path he/she wants to follow to reach those goals/ objectives.
Dade County High School faculty was concerned about the absentee rate at their school; we can't teach them if they are not here. As part of their GraduateFIRST Action Plan/Initiative they decided to tackle the issue of student absences. Their results speak for their success:
GraduateFIRST school, Crossroads Center, is an Alternative educational facility that serves students from all Houston County’s middle and high school. Crossroad’s Action Plan focuses on incorporating behavioral engagement strategies to decrease disciplinary referrals. The Plan is also used as an instrument to govern decisions and ideas to enhance their school’s culture.
When Banks County High School and Middle School GraduateFIRST teams reviewed the research regarding dropout prevention, they quickly realized that they needed to reach their primary age students who too often begin the process of school disengagement that leads to dropping out of school.
As an ASPIRE consultant, Colleen Lambert, encourages students to take a more active role in their Individual Education Program (IEP). Through the collaboration between the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Developmental Disabilities Council, school personnel and families are working together to build self advocacy skills in students with disabilities.
Ms. Wausheka McClary, the Parent Mentor in Elbert County School District, highlights the laptop and jump-drive initiative for students and relates the impact graduation goals have.
Dennis Medders, Principal of Manchester High School, discusses how C.A.F.E.'s have encouraged collaboration between students, families, and communities to bring about successful relationships and improved achievement in Manchester High School.
The Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership website (http://www.parentmentors.org/) provides an insider's guide to raising, educating and supporting a child needing special education related services.
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) Graduation/Dropout Prevention Project is a major component of a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
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