News release, Mar. 6, 2007

Georgia

Department of Labor

NEWS RELEASE

SUITE 642



(404) 232-3685

148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E.



ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751



FAX (404) 657-9996 Communications@dol.state.ga.us

Michael Thurmond
Commissioner

Sam Hall
Director of Communications

March 6, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thurmond to keynote JGG's 20th anniversary celebration in Athens
ATLANTA State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond will deliver a keynote address Wednesday, March 7, at the Classic Center in Athens at the 20th anniversary celebration of Jobs for Georgia Graduates (JGG), a school-to-work transition program that has significantly improved the graduation rates of participating high school students.
The anniversary celebration will kick off at 9:30 a.m., followed by workshops from 10:50-11:50 a.m. Commissioner Thurmond will speak at 12 noon during the luncheon program and will be available to answer questions from the news media until 2 p.m. The commissioner said that participants in the JGG program have a high school graduation rate 18 percent higher than the state-wide average of 71 percent for Georgia's public schools.
"One of the most difficult problems facing Georgia's workforce is the state's excessive dropout rate among high school students," Commissioner Thurmond said. "A promising solution to this problem is our Jobs for Georgia Graduates program. This program has demonstrated remarkable success in improving the high school graduation rates of participating students."
Since its inception in 1980, JGG has served more than 10,000 students. Students with academic and personal barriers are often recruited for enrollment in JGG. Barriers may include low grade point average (GPA), high absenteeism, first generation graduates and students on the verge of dropping out of high school.
During the 2004-2005 school year, 1,073 students were enrolled in the JGG program from 35 high schools throughout Georgia. According to JGG statistics, 960 or 89.5 percent of the seniors participating in the program successfully completed graduation requirements. In fact, throughout the program's 20 year history, participating JGG students have experienced much higher graduation rates of 87 90 percent, much higher than the statewide average.
JGG utilizes school-based specialists who assist students with career guidance, work skills, motivational activities and job development. Graduating seniors receive follow-up services to encourage successful transition from high school to post-secondary education, training and work opportunities.

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JGG-20TH ANNIVERSARY
In 2000, Commissioner Thurmond recognized the need for early career counseling and vocational guidance and expanded the traditional senior-only curriculum to a five-year program, beginning in the ninth grade. Currently, there are 23 senior-only programs and 12 multi-year programs operating in 27 local school districts.
Other invited participants in the anniversary celebration include: Athens Mayor Heidi Davison, Dr. Cheryl D. Dozier of the University of Georgia, Jem Clement of Piedmont College, Timothy Baptist Church Elder Terris Thomas, Benjamin E. Mays High School Jazz Quartet, representatives from the Georgia School for the Deaf, Chattooga High School, Southside High School, Elbert County High School, and Dalton High School, along with personnel from the state labor department.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
CY-07-51