Dear Member of the House Education Committee,

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss Jobs for America’s Graduates- (JAG-K).

JAG-K is a 501(c)3 organization that invests in kids facing numerous obstacles to success. These are students generally not on track to graduate from high school, and, more than likely, headed for poverty or continuing in a generational cycle of poverty.

JAG-K gives students hope for a better outcome.

Incorporating a successful research-based model that was developed in Delaware in 1979 and taken nationally in 1980, JAG-K partners with schools and students to help them complete high school and then get on a career path. Whether they pursue post-secondary education, vocational training, the military or move directly into the workforce, our students are guided by JAG-K Career Specialists (Specialists) along the way.

JAG-K Specialists invest time, compassion, understanding and love into the program and their students. The specialists continue to work with students for a full year past high school.

The results are amazing.

Our JAG-K students have a graduation rate exceeding 91 percent statewide, and more than 84 percent are successfully employed or on a path to employment. These are results for students who were generally not on a path to success prior to participating in JAG-K.

We believe JAG-K could be part of the statewide solution in addressing “at-risk” students who may not be on track to graduate or need some additional assistance. Although JAG-K is an elective class during the school year, our Specialists maintain contact and offer student support throughout the summer months and during a 12 -month follow-up period after their senior year. If we were not successful in helping them graduate, we still have an opportunity in that 12-month period to help them recover credits for their diploma or attain a GED.

JAG-K students must master 37 core competencies, primarily related to career readiness. In addition to helping our students find internships, job shadowing opportunities and gaining employability skills, our Specialists help reinforce the importance of community service and personal responsibility.

Thank you again for the opportunity to share information about JAG-K. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have questions about our performance measures, outcomes or how we administer the program.

Sincerely,

Chuck Knapp President/CEO

515 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 201 | Topeka, KS 66603 www.JAGKansas.org JAG-K MISSION

Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) is committed to partnering with students to overcome barriers to graduation from high school and prepare them for college and other career pathways that will help these students reach their full potential.

National JAG JAG-K Goals and Outcomes* Objectives

High School Graduation Rate 90% 91%

Positive Outcomes (Including employment, post secondary education, 80% 84% military)

Employment 60% 80%

JAG Career Association Participation 90% 100%

JAG-K has 62 programs in 29 school districts in Kansas for the 2016 –2017 school year.

The average investment per student is generally less than $1500 per student per year. The administrative costs of JAG-K are less than 8 percent of the total budget.

*2013-2015 school years PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

East Kansas North Central Kansas continued Basehor-Linwood High School - 2013 Junction City High School - 2013 Donnelly College - 2014 Junction City Middle School - 2014 F L Schlagle High School - 2016 Salina South High School - 2013 Free State High School - 2014 Salina Central High School - 2013 J.C. Harmon - 2016 Lawrence High School - 2014 South Central Turner High School - 2013 Arkansas City High School - 2013 Turner Middle School - 2014 Arkansas City Middle School - 2014 Washington High School - 2016 Eldorado High School - 2014 - 2014 Wichita East High School - 2013 Wichita Heights High School - 2014 Northeast Kansas Wichita North High School - 2013 Atchison High School - 2014 Wichita Northwest High School - 2014 Emporia High School - 2014 Wichita South High School - 2013 Highland Park High School - 2013 Wichita Southeast High School - 2013 Royal Valley High School (Hoyt) - 2013 Wichita West High School - 2013 Topeka High School - 2014 Winfield High School - 2016 Topeka West High School - 2013 Shawnee Heights High School - 2015 Southwest Kansas Dodge City Alternative Ed. - 2014 Garden City High School - 2013 Field Kindley High School - 2013 Holcomb High School - 2013 Labette County High School - 2014 Kingman High School - 2013 Parsons High School - 2013 Kiowa County Jr/Sr High School - 2014 Parson Middle School - 2014 Liberal High School - 2013 Pittsburg High School - 2013 Pratt High School - 2014 Stafford Jr/Sr High School - 2013 North Central Kansas Chisholm Middle School - 2014 Concordia Jr/Sr High School - 2013 Middle School - 2014 Hutchinson High School - 2013 Hutchinson Middle School 7-8- 2014 Junction City Fresh. Success Ctr. - 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board Chair Kim Borchers Erin C. Kobler Governor’s Office Hallmark

Board Treasurer Jim Clark David Kurt Retired Business Executive Dept. for Children and Families

Rep. Barbara Ballard Paula Landoll-Smith Kansas House of Representatives Landoll Corporation

Kevin Case Dennis Mullin Emporia Public Schools Steel and Pipe Supply

Colonel Mike Erwin Dr. Beryl New Kansas National Guard Highland Park High School

Sen. Bud Estes Brent Nissen Kansas State Senate Archer Daniels Midland

Sec. Lana Gordon Mike O’Neal Department of Labor Legal & Governmental Consultant

Brett Klausman Mike Scott Midwest Health AT&T Kansas

CORE COMPETENCIES The JAG core competencies are the result of considerable experience by specialists, employers’ views on desired worker traits and job research reviews. The 37 core competencies are grouped into 6 clusters.

Career Development Basic Competencies A1 Identify occupational interests, D21 Comprehend verbal communications. aptitudes and abilities. D22 Comprehend written communications. A2 Relate interests, aptitudes and abilities D23 Communication writing. to appropriate occupations. D24 Communicate verbally. A3 Identify desired life style and relate to selected occupations. D25 Perform mathematical calculations. A4 Develop a career path for a selected occupation. Leadership and Self-Development A5 Select an immediate job goal. E26 Demonstrate team membership. A6 Describe the condition and E27 Demonstrate team leadership. specifications of the job goal. E28 Deliver presentations to a group.

E29 Compete successfully with peers. Job Attainment E30 Demonstrate commitment to an B7 Construct a resume. organization. B8 Conduct a job search.

B9 Develop a letter of application. Personal Skills B10 Use the telephone to arrange an F31 Understand types of maturity. interview. F32 Identify a self-value system and how it B11 Complete application forms. affects life. B12 Complete employment tests. F33 Base decisions on values and goals. B13 Complete a job interview. F34 Identify process of decision making.

F35 Demonstrate ability to assume Job Survival responsibility for actions and decisions. C14 Demonstrate appropriate appearance. F36 Demonstrate a positive attitude. C15 Understand what employers expect of F37 Develop healthy self-concept for home, employees. school and work. C16 Identify problems of new employees. C17 Demonstrate time management. C18 Follow directions. C19 Practice effective human relations. C20 Appropriately quit a job.