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AU Virtual: Education held to a gold standard
To be an effective and successful employee of Alternatives Unlimited, one must be very flexible and ever ready to take on new challenges. The same is true when attempting to be an effective and successful education management company. Education is an ever-changing industry, much like other industries of the 21st century. Alternatives Unlimited is striving to make the necessary changes to stay competitive while still delivering a quality education.
AU is proud to announce that virtual course delivery is on its way to becoming a very integral part of how AU does business. AU has partnered with Blackboard Learn, which is a leading online course delivery platform, to house and deliver our virtual curriculum. The Blackboard platform is currently being used for our summer school program, online SES tutoring program, and, beginning in January 2012, it will be used by our DBI students and our 6th through 12th grade homebound students.
AU’s ultimate goal, for the 2012-2013 school year, is to have a complete K-12 virtual curriculum that aligns with all core standards and can withstand the rigorous state accreditation process throughout the U.S. While this is a very lofty goal, it will be the driving force behind the continued growth of Alternatives Unlimited.
Gadsden Co. DBI graduates its second class
AU’s Drop Back In Academy in Gadsden County, FL, graduated its second class on August 26 at the Quincy DBI site. While there were just four students who completed their high school graduation requirements, there was no shortage of pride and congratulations for their accomplishments.
The four students honored were Latoya Brinson, Cetoria Holloway, Lakeshia McGriff and Quashawn Jones, all of whom proved that students who have “fallen through the cracks” and opted to drop out of high school can still go back and earn that coveted diploma.
The Alternatives Unlimited Drop Back In program is designed for young people, ages 16 – 21, who, for various reasons, left school after entering ninth grade but still aspire to graduate with a high school diploma, rather than a GED.
The commencement speaker was County Commissioner Sherrie Taylor, who offered positive words of wisdom to each graduate who may have “delayed” but were not denied that important diploma because of the collaboration between the Gadsden County schools and AU. With focus and determination, she continued, these students, who genuinely desired to obtain a diploma and were willing to work hard to earn it, finally realized their goal, despite whatever circumstances led them off track previously.
During the ceremony Laquesha Thompson remarked, “Sometimes I think of not making it or being successful, but seeing these special people standing there has given me hope to prepare me for life’s triumphs and challenges. They give me hope to continue.”
All four of these graduates will further their educational goals at Tallahassee Community College, starting Tuesday. Ms. Holloway and Ms. McGriff will each pursue a nursing degree; Ms. Brinson will study to become an elementary teacher, and Quashawn Jones would like to become a police officer.
The commencement ended with remarks from guest speaker Eric Hinson, a member of the Gadsden County School Board; a prayer by Pastor Willie Chambers; and comments from DBIA staff, including Gladys Britt , who noted: “They all have formed a solid foundation — now all they have to do is build on it.”
Gadsden County school dropouts who are between the ages of 16 and 21 and who would like to return and earn a high school diploma, can contact Ronterious Robinson at 850-618-0137. The coursework is completely free to the students.
CONGRATULATIONS to all of the graduates, who heard this inspiring quote during the ceremony: “Yesterday is gone; tomorrow has yet to come. We have only today: Let it begin.”
Florida Newspaper Features AU and DBI
An article in the Ocala, FL, newspaper recently featured AU’s DBI program. Here’s an excerpt. For the full article, go to:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20110501/articles/110509980&tc=yahoo
School Board wants to put dropouts back in the classroom
Staff writer
Last Modified: Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 10:20 p.m.
The Marion County School Board wants to partner with a national dropout retrieval company called Alternatives Unlimited to find local high school dropouts and help them get their diplomas.
A contract will come back to the School Board at a later date for a vote, although it appears all five members support the concept.
The group, founded in 1997 and based in Maryland, will go into the communities and search for dropouts, then help them finish the courses they need to graduate high school.
And there’s no cost to the school district.
“This is a no-lose situation,” School Board Chairwoman Judi Zanetti said.
Love Yourself First
Seven students from AU’s Drop Back In program in Orlando had a unique opportunity in early March when they attended the Love Yourself First conference and retreat that included National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day activities.There were also workshops on self-esteem and dating; HIV and STI prevention; and beauty and female hygiene
DBI attendees (see photo, from left) were Sallinia Collins, Nakesha Williams, La Paige Stokes, Weperia Williams, and Chastity Garden with Charmaine Blue, AU’s executive director for grants and accountability, who arranged for the young women to attend this event. Not pictured but attending were Tynisha Whitfield and Ashley Hall.
Here are excerpts from their letters of appreciation to professors at Florida A&M University, School of Law; AU staff; and sponsor The National Council of Negro Women — Greater Orlando Chapter: “We are writing to thank you … for giving us the opportunity to attend the “Love Yourself First Conference-Retreat.” It was a wonderful experience and we want to share with you some of the ways it impacted and influenced our lives. Continue reading →
Blair Smith Wins University of Mobile Scholarship
Blair Smith, a senior at Three-Notch DBI, has won a $20,000 scholarship to The University of Mobile. She attended a Winter Jam Concert (a faith-based concert) at USA Mitchell Center, which was sponsored by The University of Mobile. Each student was encouraged to sign up for a drawing to win a Winter Jam Scholarship, and Blair was one of the winners. She can win an additional $2,000 scholarship if she registers and makes a formal visit to the campus. Blair has 22 credits and wants to major in psychology.