Ask state reps to protect iJAG in budget

Please contact your state representatives immediately and ask them to not cut iJAG from the state budget. Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates is the most effective program in the state when it comes to helping students graduate from high school. Just look at the statistics from Cedar Rapids Washington's own iJAG program over the last six years: 97 percent of the nearly 200 students in the program completed high school! This number includes a 100 percent graduation rate for 11 teen parents and African American students, and nearly the same rate for students who are economically disadvantaged.

These percentages are far higher than any other high school completion program, high school or school district in the state. In Cedar Rapids, iJAG is a true non-partisan partnership between local businesses and the community. Some of iJAG's supporters, such as Rockwell-Collins, Alliant Energy, Cargill and Diamond V Mills, have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in a partnership because iJAG has been so effective.

But if your state representative does not act to ensure iJAG is funded in the state budget, much of the progress that has been made across the state to help youth complete high school will end. Don't let this happen!

Sean McAtee

Education Specialist

iJAG

Washington High School

Cedar Rapids