Job's for Montana's Graduates

photos & story by Jayme Fraser

Job’s for Montana’s Graduates

Program is ranked No. 1 among the nation’s similar initiatives to improve graduation rates and help high school students, like Christian Beech, successfully transition to work or college.

And Plains High School, though small, is the state’s best, said Director Jim Lambert.
Seniors at Plains High School must take JMG or Introduction to Business before graduation.

Most choose JMG because of its unique, hands-on structure that teaches life and work skills.

Instructors Annawyn Griffin and Kevin Meredith don’t take attendance; students “clock-in” on green time cards. Students don’t complete worksheets or problems from a textbook for homework, but rather schedule a community blood drive and develop résumés.

Griffin and Meredith work with Beech to coordinate the class’ various committees and projects.

The state annually funds 50 programs between $3,000-4,000 to help more than 1,100 students with future career development by focusing on staying in school and finding a career path suited to their interests and abilities.

In the 2008-09 academic year, the statewide graduation rate for students who participated in JMG was 95% and 87% in schools serving reservations.

The five section leaders at each school, such as Beech, attend the fall leadership conference in Helena. The whole class raises money to attend the spring competition in Billings. They will enter projects in categories such as Personal Statement and Community Service, to Marketing and Résumé.

Plains usually sweeps the awards ceremony. Beech hopes for no different this year.