JAG Helps Every Student Graduate with Opportunity
Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG) identifies and provides educational support and success strategies for Alabama’s highest at-risk students. We partner JAG-eligible students with our Educational Specialists who mentor, equip, and provide the support needed to graduate and succeed after high school.
JAG is unique in that it serves students often overlooked. JAG-eligible students can face up to 33 barriers to success, including circumstances such as incarcerated parents, health problems, homelessness, having a dependent child or children in the home, or having a disability.
Barriers to Success lndentified by JAG
If a Student Faces These Barriers they are Eligible to Participate in JAG
ACADEMIC BARRIERS
ACADEMIC BARRIERS
- One or more modal grades behind peers.
- Has repeated a grade in high school.
- Low academic performance (a grade point of C or below or basic academic skills in the bottom quartile of the class).
- Basic skills deficient (reading and math in particular).
- Limited English proficiency.
- Failed state proficiency exam.
- Past record of excessive absences as verified by school officials.
- Has been suspended, expelled, or put on probation during high school.
- Has dropped out of school previously.
ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS
ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS
- Family environment is not conducive to education or career goals.
- Mother did not graduate from high school.
- Father did not graduate from high school.
- Mother does not work.
- Father does not work.
- Is pregnant (when admitted to the program).
- Has dependent child or children in the home.
- Is parenting.
- Has documented alcohol and/or substance abuse.
- Convicted of a criminal offense other than a traffic violation.
- Has a record of violent behavior.
- Is homeless.
- Is a runaway.
- Requires child care during work or school.
- Needs transportation to and from work or school.
- Is in foster care.
- Child of incarcerated parent.
- Child of a migrant worker.
INCOME AND WORK-RELATED BARRIERS
INCOME AND WORK-RELATED BARRIERS
- Is an economically disadvantaged student as defined by public assistance, AFDC, or free lunch.
- Is a member of a race/ethnic group with a low family income.
- Has inadequate or no work experience.
- Lacks marketable occupational skills that are in demand in the local labor market.
PERSONAL BARRIERS
PERSONAL BARRIERS
- Special education certified (verified by school district or agency).
- Lacks motivation or maturity to pursue education or career goals.
- Emotional disorder that impairs education or career goals.
- Has a documented disability.
- Health problems that impair education or career goals.
An Education Model Designed for Unique Student Support
Once the students are identified, the JAG Model is implemented by a JAG Specialist who works in-school with 60 students all on the pursuit of a high school diploma, a quality entry-level job that leads to a career, and/or post-secondary education.
JAG-Alabama is delivered through two model programs: Senior Only and Multi-Year programs. JAG Model programs identify students who are most at risk and possess a significant number of barriers to staying in school (there are 33 barriers that define an at-risk student).
Our Programs Help Students Graduate
Senior Year
The JAG Senior Year Program concentrates on supporting high school seniors most susceptible to dropping out because they are facing 5 or more of the 33 Barriers to Success identified by JAG.
Multi-Year Program
The JAG Multi-Year Program lasts up to 60 months and includes over 700 hours of professional JAG specialist support.