On Oct.15 -17, 2008 over forty ALE educators gathered at Dawson Co-Op in Arkadelphia and were trained as JAG Specialists. JAG, (Jobs for Americas Graduates), under the guidance of Workforce Education, is teaming up with the Arkansas Department of Education, Alternative Education Unit. This collaboration will offer some of the hardest to reach students in Arkansas the chance to learn the job skills that employers are looking for. This opportunity also provides students the chance to enhance their academic and social skills in addition to their workforce skills. So far over thirty districts have shown interest in providing this option to enhance their student’s skills in the job market.

Arkansas is the pilot program for offering JAG in alternative education and will be refining the model for the rest of the nation. The October training was the first training for districts that will be starting JAG in January of 2009. Future trainings are being planned for districts that plan to start their JAG programs in the 09/10 school year.

Districts interested in becoming part of this endeavor can contact

Lori Lamb
Director Alternative Education
(479) 996-4172

Dr. C.W. Gardenhire
Alternative Education Advisor
(501) 882-4498

or
Betsy Kindall
Alternative Education Advisor
(870) 743-9100