American Graduate

What are students doing after a summer workshop on bullying at Butler University? We go to an Indianapolis high school to see how students are implementing the plans they made.

Students who get the opportunity to study outside do better on tests and are more interested in learning. This segment of American Graduate looks at the annual trip that a Shelbyville middle school science class takes to the Smokey Mountain National Park.

New models of teacher assessment are being rolled out in schools across Indiana because of changes to state law. This segment of American Graduate looks at how schools are responding as the school year gets rolling.

School test scores are lower for non-white students. Lawrence Township is making progress in a several year initiative to eradicate the racial achievement gap. This segment of American Graduate looks at what they're doing to make a difference.

A good start is very important in education. In fact, quality pre-school experiences can be linked to better educational outcomes. This American Graduate segment looks at Indiana's Paths to Quality program that helps child care centers provide the best care possible.

Indianapolis high school graduates with developmental disabilities are getting innovative job and life skill training through Project Search. This American Graduate segment follows them for part of their journey.

The data is clear: when parents are involved in schools, children do better.

Education students at Butler University are working with teens across the city to address bullying. Students will take plans they've developed and work to make a difference in their schools.

Missing school will lead to poor performance in the classroom. A new state-wide study is calling for changes in the law about how absenteeism is tracked in Indiana.

As the conversation about improving graduation rates continues, students and teachers weigh in with their ideas about what's working and what's not.

Indiana school counselors who help students and families plan for college are getting trained to be even better advocates.

Project based learning may use traditional tools including lectures, textbooks and tests but the focus is on relevancy, inquiry and hands on learning organized around a central question.

A new free tool through Easter Seals Crossroads will help parents know if their child is developing on schedule.

Student teaching will face changes as assessments on classroom teachers and tests for students increase the stakes.

Foster Youth face big challenges that spill over into the classroom. American Graduate talks about the challenges and one student shares her story.

Smart boards are quickly becoming standard in classrooms. This segment looks at the ways in which technology changes education.

Strengths based intervention is being used to work with difficult students as well as get more from high performing students.

Students are taking more tests and there are questions about whether or not it will lead to better outcomes.

Students who get involved and engaged at school are much more likely to graduate. American Graduate examines the story of one senior who graduates this month who says it could easily have gone another direction.

Interdisciplinary teaching lets students learn math, science, English and economics during the same lesson. American Graduate explores how it’s used in Indianapolis classrooms and what teachers have to say about it.

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

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

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