Fremont Public Schools Announces New High School Program

Fremont is one of three pilot programs

Fremont, Neb. – (Feb. 12, 2019) The JAG program, which stands for “Jobs for America’s Graduates” is new to Nebraska and is being piloted at three Nebraska sites starting in January 2019 with Fremont High School being one of the sites. The program is designed to benefit students who face barriers to high school graduation. Students will complete four semester-long classes (two classes in block scheduling) based on social skills, job skills, career exploration and career development. A single instructor, Rae Dixon, will work with students connecting them to the opportunities within our community and region to pursue employment and post graduate careers. The students are required to have a job and maintain it while they are in the program.

High School Principal and Director of Secondary Administration, Scott Jensen says, “I am extremely excited for the opportunities our students will receive working with the JAG Nebraska Program. In Iowa, and across the nation, JAG has the reputation of successfully helping students overcome obstacles to successfully transition from high school to post secondary education and careers.”

The JAG Nebraska project is a collaborative effort between the Department of Labor and the Department of Education. “As I travel the state talking to businesses and economic development groups, one of their top priorities is developing the workforce we need to connect Nebraskans to great twenty-first century jobs,” said Governor Pete Ricketts. “The JAG Program is a great opportunity that will help develop our people so they are more readily able to take advantage of these career opportunities.”

For the first three years, the JAG-Nebraska program will be directly affiliated with the Iowa JAG organization, otherwise referred to as iJAG. The first two full years of implementation all costs associated with the program are covered by iJAG, Department of Labor and Department of Education. Beginning in the third year (post pilot) each school district will be required to pay for 1/3 of the costs.