AIHS staff speak to House Ed Committee about leadership program

Kitti Wheeler (left) testifies before the House Education Committee along with Haley Keele (center) and Kevin Rupprecht (right).

Representatives from Alternatives for Individuals High School (AIHS) testified before the House Education Committee on April 7 about the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program, which is being piloted this school year at AIHS.

Kevin Rupprecht, vice principal; Kitti Wheeler, teacher and JAG intervention specialist and Haley Keele, student and JAG president, spoke to committee members about the importance of the JAG program. JAG combines curriculum in leadership and employability with adult mentoring, advisement and support. JAG students serve in elected positions, similar to student government, where they can develop, practice and refine their leadership and teaming skills. Once students complete the JAG program, their intervention specialist follows-up with them for one year and provides necessary coaching and support as they pursue careers and postsecondary educations.

JAG is also being piloted at Clover Park and Lakes High Schools through the Twilight program, which is designed to re-engage students who appear to be failing and provide those students with resources to attain necessary credits and support to obtain a high school diploma and meaningful career training.

Since 1980, JAG has served approximately 750,000 participants in more than 32 states and 800 programs conducted in middle schools, high schools, community colleges and community-based organizations.

For more information about AIHS, visit www.cloverpark.k12.wa.us and click on “AI” under the “Schools” tab. For additional information about JAG, visit www.jag.org.