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Alabama's JAG program wins fifth straight 505 award; board signals expanded funding
Summary
State education officials reported that Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) earned the 505 award for the fifth consecutive year, with a reported 100% graduation rate for participating students and a 68% job-placement rate; the Board discussed plans to expand JAG funding to additional counties by 2025.
At the Oct. 13, 2022 meeting of the Alabama State Board of Education, state education officials reported that Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) earned the national 505 award for the fifth consecutive year, and described plans to expand funding for the program.
Craig Collins, speaking for the department, presented the 505 award summary and said Alabama achieved a 100% graduation rate among the JAG cohort cited, and a 68% rate for total civilian job placement or military service. He said Alabama’s total positive outcomes rate for the program was 87% and the further-education rate was 58% for the cohort presented.
"That 100% graduation rate represents 208 students that should have dropped out of high school," Collins said, describing the wraparound services JAG specialists provide. Collins and other speakers noted two national student officers in Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) from Alabama and highlighted the program’s role serving students at risk of not graduating.
State Superintendent Eric Mackey and board members discussed prior legislative support for JAG and said the board’s budget request for the coming year seeks to substantially increase JAG funding with the goal of expanding the program to more counties, and ultimately to every county by 2025. Mackey said the board has requested near-doubling of JAG funding in the next year’s budget materials.
Speakers praised JAG’s impact on at-risk students and described the award as recognition of the program’s contributions to graduation and postsecondary placement. No formal board vote was required for the award announcement itself; funding proposals will proceed through the normal budget process.
