“American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen” is a national public media initiative that leverages the power and reach of public television to help communities across the country address the high school dropout crisis. The centerpiece of this national effort is "American Graduate Day 2013," a daylong live broadcast and outreach event on Saturday, September 28.
This is a “call-to-action” telethon event, featuring more than 20 national community partners, and 14 locally-produced segments profiling community partners in Central Indiana. The telethon will include a dynamic mix of long-form programming, live breaks and pre-taped segments. It will tell the story of community partners and how they provide support, advice and intervention services to at-risk students, families and schools.
WFYI will broadcast a total of 13 hours of education programming that day, including the stories of local organizations and a town hall, "Graduating Indiana 2013." Tune in from 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
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Hope Academy English Teacher Patrick Soltice says students can get bored and he works to prevent that.
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Hope Academy Principal Gail Stone explains that those in recovery need special care.
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Gay students are frequently targeted for harassment and bullying. Pike High School has is one of a handful in the city that has a Gay Straight Alliance for students. The group is modeled after others around the country and promotes tolerance. American Graduate asks; does it really make a difference?
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Teachers are on the frontlines of the high school dropout crisis. Their influence and potential to guide the students they see daily can't be underestimated. American Graduate talks to a teacher and coach who fights to keep kids in school.
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Most high school dropouts follow a predictable path with key points for intervention. One critical point is middle school. Today's American graduate segment focuses on a middle school recognized as a school to watch.
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Thousands of adults in Marion County aren't functionally literate. Indy Reads, Central Indiana's largest program to help them is on the front lines of an effort that may well boost our high school graduation rates as well.
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Indianapolis is home to thousands of Burmese refugees who came to the U.S. to escape religious persecution. American Graduate takes a look at what tools Perry Township schools using to help children who are the first in their families to learn English.
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Butler Basketball player Ron Nored graduates in May and he’ll stay in the area to coach and influence high school students. He is also an advocate for the American Graduate initiative.
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After school activities and summer break aren't just for fun. Real learning is happening American Graduate explores several options in Indianapolis.
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Interdisciplinary teaching lets students learn math, science, English and economics during the same lesson. American Graduate explores how it’s used in Indianapolis classrooms and what teachers have to say about it.