April 5, 2023

Students often face barriers to success, but South Dakota schools can implement a program sponsored by the state Department of Education to help those students.

However, the Department of Education is reminding schools that have not yet signed up for the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program, the deadline is April 28.

JAG is a state-based national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young people of great promise.

According to the South Dakota Department of Education, the JAG-SD model is implemented during the school year as elective class and school personnel identify students with at least five of the more than 50 barriers to success, who will benefit from the competency-based employability skills curriculum.

To participate in the program, school districts will need to provide:

• Salary and benefits for JAG Specialist
• Release time for JAG Specialist to attend bi-monthly team meetings
• Board resolution adopting program
• Funds allocated for transportation to business field trips, college visits, and travel for training

To learn more about starting a Jobs for America's Graduates program at your school, please visit our JAG-SD webpage.