Fast Forward program works to get truants back in school
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. - More kids say they're finding it hard to stay in school.
"I got really bullied in traditional high school and the high school I went to wouldn't do anything about it," said Phoenix Ryan.
Now 18, Phoenix Ryan barely started his freshman year before he decided to leave. He made his way back. Many others don't.
The number of truancies has fluctuated from 785 at the end of the 2010 school year to 645 at the end of 2011. Final numbers for 2012 aren't official yet but are expected to make a big jump to nearly 1100 cases.
Dropouts are at risk at becoming a drain on state and local resources. Without a diploma, many end up on food stamps and housing assistance, or possibly in jail. There's also money lost on taxes from income not earned. Preventing just one dropout could save an average of $10,500 per year.
The Juvenile Justice Center works closely with programs like the one Phoenix is in. Giving kids a chance to get back on track and become successful adults.
One coordinator works with all the school districts and the juvenile justice center for both counties in fostering drop outs into the Fast Forward program.
"I've seen quite a few youths go from a drop out to a graduate in as little as a few weeks or a few months," said program coordinator, Jennie Johnson Hamilton.
Fast Forward has people in place to find the best educational program for a student's needs. Phoenix's initial need was to make his mom proud. Now he's thinking bigger.
He said, "No one in my family's ever gone to college and I think it would be really cool to bring that home and be like hey you can do it and be an inspiration."
He hopes that others like him will do the same.
The Fast Forward program has had some success during its first full year. Of the 145 students contacted nearly half were placed back in a school system.
"I got really bullied in traditional high school and the high school I went to wouldn't do anything about it," said Phoenix Ryan.
Now 18, Phoenix Ryan barely started his freshman year before he decided to leave. He made his way back. Many others don't.
The number of truancies has fluctuated from 785 at the end of the 2010 school year to 645 at the end of 2011. Final numbers for 2012 aren't official yet but are expected to make a big jump to nearly 1100 cases.
Dropouts are at risk at becoming a drain on state and local resources. Without a diploma, many end up on food stamps and housing assistance, or possibly in jail. There's also money lost on taxes from income not earned. Preventing just one dropout could save an average of $10,500 per year.
The Juvenile Justice Center works closely with programs like the one Phoenix is in. Giving kids a chance to get back on track and become successful adults.
One coordinator works with all the school districts and the juvenile justice center for both counties in fostering drop outs into the Fast Forward program.
"I've seen quite a few youths go from a drop out to a graduate in as little as a few weeks or a few months," said program coordinator, Jennie Johnson Hamilton.
Fast Forward has people in place to find the best educational program for a student's needs. Phoenix's initial need was to make his mom proud. Now he's thinking bigger.
He said, "No one in my family's ever gone to college and I think it would be really cool to bring that home and be like hey you can do it and be an inspiration."
He hopes that others like him will do the same.
The Fast Forward program has had some success during its first full year. Of the 145 students contacted nearly half were placed back in a school system.
