JAG-Missouri achieves top JAG recognition for class of 2016

JAG-Missouri received many awards for its success with the class of 2016, including JAG National’s top award, the “Five of Five” Award. The Missouri results were part of a record year for JAG National, with the results announced the week of July 10 at the annual National Training Seminar.

Approximately 425 JAG administrators and teachers attended the training. The results for the class of 2016 were announced at various sessions during the week-long training. With JAG’s 12 months of follow-up, the official data was recorded as of May 31, 2017. One of the JAG program’s distinguishing characteristics is the 12-month follow up with seniors after they leave high school. The final statistics for the class are calculated at the end of that year, which is May 31.

Nationally, the 34 states in the JAG network achieved its highest graduation rate in its 38-year history: 95 percent. Collectively, JAG also met or exceeded the other four “Five of Five” performance goals: positive outcomes, job placement and military service, full time jobs, and total full-time placement.

  • Graduation Rate: 95%
  • Employment Rate: 63% (highest achieved in 26 years – more than double the normal rate for the population we serve)
  • Full-time Jobs Rate: 75% (more than three times the normal rate for the population we serve)
  • Full-time Placement Rate: 90% (combined work and college commitments that equal full time)
  • Postsecondary Education Enrollment Rate: 43%

JAG-Missouri had a 98.75 percent graduation rate, which was among the highest in the nation. This comes after a 99 percent graduation rate for the class of 2015, which led the nation.

“These results were accomplished under the most demanding high school graduation requirements in history, as states continue to alter diploma requirements to fit with the rising academic demands in the American economy,” JAG President Kenneth M. Smith said. “We are especially pleased with the employment impact – one of the highest in our history – as 16- to 24-year olds are the most unemployed segment of the nation’s population, and the group we serve is the most unemployed (by a factor of four) in the 16- to 24-year-old category.

“The 43 percent college enrollment rate was steady from last year – accomplished even with significant declines in enrollments overall across the nation. Compared to last year, 500,000 fewer students enrolled in higher education – which was 500,000 fewer students than the year before. In short, JAG is moving against the trends in higher education with the part of the population least likely to enroll or succeed.”

Founded in 1980, JAG has exceeded the 90 percent graduation rate for the 38 years of its existence. With the addition of North Carolina for 2017-18, JAG will now have 35 states, serving 57,000 students in 1,250 communities.

In addition to earning the prestigious “Five of Five” Award as a state organization, six JAG-Missouri schools also earned the designation: the Central Academy of Excellence in Kansas City with Specialist Tineka Rentie; Farmington High School with Specialist Erica Dement; Kennett High School with Specialist Jon McKinney; Roosevelt High School with Specialist Tony Glover; South Pemiscot High School with Specialist Jamie Carlisle; and Sumner High School with Specialist Butler B’ynote’ III.

JAG-Missouri received additional recognition for “Peak Performance” in 13 different categories defined by the National network. The recognition was for a combination of the classes of 2016 and 2017.

While most of the recognition was for the class of 2016, JAG-Missouri also was recognized as one of the top-rated organizations for students earning scholarships to continue their education. Sixty-four students from across the JAG-Missouri network were awarded $1,410,320.00 in scholarship dollars.

Class of 2016
Further EducationSenior2nd Place
Graduation RateSenior3rd Place
Graduation RateAlternativeHonorable Mention
Military ServiceAlternative2nd Place
Return-to-School RateMiddle SchoolHonorable Mention
Unable to Contact RateSenior4th Place
Class of 2017
Average BarriersMulti-Year7th Place
Average BarriersMiddle SchoolHonorable Mention
Average BarriersHigh SchoolHonorable Mention
Average Competency AttainmentAlternativeHonorable Mention
Average Contact HoursAlternative3rd Place
Average Contact HoursSenior3rd Place
Average Contact HoursMiddle School5th Place
NameSchoolAward
Erica DementFarmington High SchoolOutstanding Specialist
Butler B’ynote’ IIISumner High SchoolOutstanding Specialist
Tineka RentieCentral Academy of ExcellenceOutstanding Specialist
Jana LoftisJennings Education Training SchoolAverage GPA, Alternative
Tony GloverRoosevelt High SchoolHighest Barriers
Butler B’ynote’ IIISumner High SchoolBarrier Removal
Tineka RentieCentral Academy of Excellence"5 of 5" Award
Erica DementFarmington High School"5 of 5" Award
Butler B’ynote’ IIISumer High School"5 of 5" Award
Jon McKinneyKennett High School"5 of 5" Award
Jamie CarlisleSouth Pemiscot High School"5 of 5" Award
Tony GloverRoosevelt High School"5 of 5" Award
Dr. Theresa BadgettJennings High SchoolRookie of the Year - Multi-Year
Joan DietrichWest Plains High School & Zizzer Pride AcademyRookie of the Year - Alternative
Josh DouglasStudy Alternative, SpringfieldAbove & Beyond