“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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What are students doing after a summer workshop on bullying at Butler University? We go to an Indianapolis high school to see how students are implementing the plans they made.
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Students who get the opportunity to study outside do better on tests and are more interested in learning. This segment of American Graduate looks at the annual trip that a Shelbyville middle school science class takes to the Smokey Mountain National Park.
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New models of teacher assessment are being rolled out in schools across Indiana because of changes to state law. This segment of American Graduate looks at how schools are responding as the school year gets rolling.
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School test scores are lower for non-white students. Lawrence Township is making progress in a several year initiative to eradicate the racial achievement gap. This segment of American Graduate looks at what they're doing to make a difference.
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A good start is very important in education. In fact, quality pre-school experiences can be linked to better educational outcomes. This American Graduate segment looks at Indiana's Paths to Quality program that helps child care centers provide the best care possible.
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Indianapolis high school graduates with developmental disabilities are getting innovative job and life skill training through Project Search. This American Graduate segment follows them for part of their journey.
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The data is clear: when parents are involved in schools, children do better.
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Education students at Butler University are working with teens across the city to address bullying. Students will take plans they've developed and work to make a difference in their schools.
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Missing school will lead to poor performance in the classroom. A new state-wide study is calling for changes in the law about how absenteeism is tracked in Indiana.
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As the conversation about improving graduation rates continues, students and teachers weigh in with their ideas about what's working and what's not.