Winning with Youth at Risk

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Wilson County Adult High School

Second Presenter's Institution

Wilson County Adult High School

Third Presenter's Institution

NA

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Location

Session 1 (Ballroom F)

Strand #1

Academic Achievement & School Leadership

Relevance

This presentation is relevant to the “Academic Achievement & School Leadership” Strand by addressing the areas of reducing achievement gaps, equitable opportunity to learn effective use of student data, differentiated instruction, instructional technology, dropout prevention, post-secondary readiness, and career readiness. The Wilson County Adult High School is a highly successful tool in preventing dropouts in Wilson County Tennessee. The adult High School is available to all Wilson County residents ages 18 years and older. Student who are only 17 years old may be approved for admittance if they have a hardship, i.e. teen parent, warranting an exception to attend the Adult High School. Most of the students at AHS are student at high risk of dropping out at age 19. At this non-traditional high school, the principal and school counselor evaluate each student’s records and develop an individual academic plan. During the student’s time at AHS, students have opportunities to meet with admissions personnel from colleges, universities, and technical colleges as well as military recruiters. College/career interests and financial opportunities are explored which often stimulates excitement and the ambition needed to earn their diploma. Many students are inspired to get an education beyond their high school diploma because they have hope in themselves and see a path to achieve more.

Brief Program Description

This non-traditional high school empowers youth at risk to earn their diploma. The major objective is graduating cohorts on time with preparedness for college/career. By fostering a sense of belonging and safety, success, self-wroth and hope, "Can't" is transformed into "Can" as students realize their dreams.

“Excellence in All We Do”

Summary

Winning with Youth at Risk is a presentation that exhibits the impact that the Wilson County Adult High School has on the lives of hundreds of students and their futures. It explains what is done and how it is done. AHS is comprised of predominately 17-19 year old students who have situation that make the traditional high school setting impractical or impossible. AHS addresses the needs of its students on physical, academic, emotional, and motivational levels. Needs as basic as paper and pencil or food are met so that barriers that may seem little to others, do not become an obstacle for anyone. Academically, before the student enters the doors of the school, the principal and school counselor determine an academic plan for each student that meets the State of Tennessee requirements for graduation This non-traditional school is a self-paced, computer based curriculum aligned with the State of Tennessee standards require for earning a high school diploma. Highly qualified teachers provide individual instruction as needed. AHS is a drama free zone where the focus in on daily success until they earn their high school diploma. From the secretary to the principal, everyone values the student and their goals to which they aspire. For many of these students, it is the first time they been treated with dignity and with the sincere belief that they can succeed in life. By diligent follow up when students are not thriving or not attending, students return to AHS to earn that diploma because they know they are cared for and believed in. When the student completes all graduation requirements, they receive a high school completion letter so they can enter the work force or start college without having to wait until the official graduation ceremony. Students are given the opportunity to see what lies beyond the horizon of the diploma and how to get there. Many students are surprised that there are ways for them to continue their education and therefore achieve the dreams they had given up on long ago. Thus, Winning with Youth at Risk happens on a regular basis at AHS!

Evidence

The graduation rate data for the 2016-2017 school year, the Wilson County graduation rate was 96.2%. There are four traditional high schools in the county which the graduates of AHS contribute to their graduated rates. AHS contributed 8.52% to their graduation rate. The Class of 2018 was comprised of 122 students who earned over $2.3 million in scholarships! For a school with a staff of 1 secretary, 3.5 teachers, 1 school counselor, and 1 principal, that is outstanding evidence of successfully practices.

Biographical Sketch

Patti Huffman serves as the School Counselor at the Wilson County Adult High School which is a non-traditional high school that assists youth-at-risk earn their high school diploma as well as take the next step to success. Mrs. Huffman has been in education for 30 years and earned Teacher of the Year honors multiple times. She was certified as a School Consultant through the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children as well as worked as a trauma counselor for battered women and children at a domestic violence shelter. Currently Mrs. Huffman serves as the McKinney Vento liaison for the Wilson County Adult High School and is a member of the Foster Care Review Board for Wilson County,TN.

Mary Ashby has been in education for 40 years. She earned a BS degree in SPED K-12/EL ED-1-9 from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville (IL) in 1978. In 1985, she earned her MEd Administration/Supervision K-12 from Murfreesboro Tennessee State University. For 33 years, she taught at Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Tennessee in various roles: Special Education (LD), Vocational English, Pull out Programs, English, Freshman Academy lead teacher, and Graduation Coach. In 2012, she accepted the role of Principal at the Wilson County Adult High School in Lebanon, TN. Her leadership and team at the Adult High School has produced 846 graduates. Various awards have included: Vocational English State Teacher of the Year, 2010 she earned the esteemed title of Lebanon High School Teacher of the Year, and then went on to be selected as 2010 Wilson County Teacher of the Year, Woman of Wilson. She has presented at both state and national conferences. Her passion has always been working with the youth at risk.

Keyword Descriptors

dropout, graduation rate, non-traditional, success, life changing, innovative, data driven

Presentation Year

March 2019

Start Date

3-4-2019 10:30 AM

End Date

3-4-2019 11:45 AM

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Mar 4th, 10:30 AM Mar 4th, 11:45 AM

Winning with Youth at Risk

Session 1 (Ballroom F)

This non-traditional high school empowers youth at risk to earn their diploma. The major objective is graduating cohorts on time with preparedness for college/career. By fostering a sense of belonging and safety, success, self-wroth and hope, "Can't" is transformed into "Can" as students realize their dreams.

“Excellence in All We Do”