State Superintendent Mike Flanagan was in Berrien County on Tuesday. He stopped by Benton Harbor High School to see a demonstration of how a special program for at-risk students works. The JAG program -- or, Jobs for American Graduates -- is a partnership between the school and Michigan Works in which students are given extra help with developing their basic life and social skills. Kids who might otherwise have trouble working with others are taught how to organize themselves, and handle things like job interviews. Flanagan said that he was glad to accept Superintendent Carole Schmidt's invitation see the program in action:
Flanagan said that he thinks schools can benefit from focusing on social skill development, along with traditional academics:
Students broke off into groups to draft plans for raising funds to help with a water project in the Dominican Republic. They then chatted with Flanagan, and talked about how school life has changed for them since getting extra help from the Michigan Works staff. Michigan Works Director of Special Projects Chris Fielding says that JAG is a one of its kind program in Michigan, and the effect it has on a student's attitude can go a long way toward long-term success:
Instructor Desiree Dunomes says that there are plenty of students who could benefit from the kind of attention JAG offers:
Superintendent Flanagan said that touring such programs gives him a better perspective as he makes decisions in Lansing that affect millions of students each year. He also called on lawmakers to raise the tax on loose tobacco and certain other products to help reduce cuts to the state's education budget.
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