American Graduate

After school activities and summer break aren't just for fun. Real learning is happening American Graduate explores several options in Indianapolis.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Hope Academy Junior Brynden says he got in with the wrong crowd.

Hope Academy Principal Gail Stone explains that those in recovery need special care.

Hope Academy English Teacher Patrick Soltice says students can get bored and he works to prevent that.

Hope Academy Senior Caitlin says she would try to help other teens struggling with addiction by telling her story.

How do students with drug and alcohol problems stay clean and graduate? Indianapolis has a school specifically for them. American Graduate talks to students and staff at Hope Academy.

This segment looks at how emergency planning saved lives at Henryville schools when tornadoes struck last week. School officials will look at lessons learned and what comes from that will keep all schools safer.

This segment looks at the work being done with the community's help at Francis Parker, IPS school 56. The school has seen better academic performance as the adults have begun bonding with the students. Additional information can be found at: www.100BlackMenIndy.org, www.uwci.org, and www.mentoring.org.

Many organizations here in Indy want to help improve high school graduation rates and engage teens along the way. This segment is about one effort using a media contest.

If you're off to college next year or preparing to enter your senior year, you should know that important deadlines are coming up for financial aid. WFYI's Jo Ann Klooz reports for the American Graduate initiative.

We begin a brand new series of reports here on WFYI. Over the next several months, you'll hear weekly American Graduate segments focusing on education. The purpose is to amplify the conversation in Indianapolis about low high school graduation rates and