Graduation effort rewarded nationally

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ Jobs for Arkansas Graduates program has received the national 5-of-5 Award for 2020 for the 15th consecutive year.

Twenty-five Jobs for Arkansas Graduates programs at schools around the state also received 5-of-5 recognition for 2020. The Arkansas program is an affiliate of the Jobs for America’s Graduates program.

It is designed to assist students who are at risk of dropping out of high school. Student participants get help toward high school graduation and with their post-graduation plans, including plans for college, employment or the military.

“I am extremely proud of the Division of Career and Technical Education for leading and supporting this outstanding program, as well as the 25 programs that also received national recognition,” Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key said.

To achieve the 5-of-5 Award, states must meet set criteria and goals for students enrolled in the program. Arkansas exceeded the goals in part by achieving a 97% graduation rate of students in the program, a 69% job placement rate, and an 80% full time employment rate.

During the 2020-21 school year, 116 Jobs for America’s Graduates programs in 81 Arkansas school districts assisted more than 3,600 students. The 25 programs that received 5-of-5 recognition:

• Arch Ford Education Services Cooperative: Dover High School/Hector High School

• Arch Ford: Jessieville Alternative Learning Environment

• Arch Ford: Shirley High School

• Arch Ford: Vilonia High School

• Bald Knob High School

• Cedar Ridge High School

• Crossett High School

• DeWitt High School

• Fayetteville High School

• Genoa Central High School

• Har-Ber High School

• Harmony Grove High School

• Heber Springs High School

• Jacksonville High School

• Malvern High School

• Marshall High School

• Mena High School

• Midland High School Alternative Learning Environment

• Mount Ida High School

• Paragould High School

• Paris High School

• Parkview High School

• Springdale High School

• Star City High School

• Sylvan Hills High School

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