Albert Einstein

Einstein did not speak until he was four and did not read until he was seven, causing his teachers and parents to think he was mentally handicapped, slow and antisocial. Eventually, he was expelled from school

Walt Disney
was fired by a newspaper editor because, "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas."

Thomas Edison
In his early years, teachers told Edison he was "too stupid to learn anything." Work was no better, as he was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough

Charles Shultz
Charles Schultz: had every cartoon he submitted rejected by his high school yearbook staff, and was rejected for a position working with Walt Disney.

Elvis Presley
Elvis was still a nobody, and Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis Presley after just one performance telling him, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."

What Are the Benefits of Increasing the High School Graduation Rate?
have examined various annual and lifetime benefits associated . with improved high school graduation rates.
..Researchers

Compared to a high school dropout..

a single high school graduate yields a public benefit of over $200,000 more in lower government spending and higher tax revenues. If the number of dropouts were cut in half, the government would likely see a total of $45 billion in savings and additional revenue.

If the male graduation rate were increased by only 5 percent

the nation would see an annual savings of $4.9 billion in crimerelated costs

Cutting the dropout rate of a single high school class (ie Nationwide class of 2013) in half .. would likely support as many as 54,000 new jobs and would likely increase the gross domestic product by as much as $9.6 billion.

Total Additional Lifetime Income If the state of Michigans current Dropouts Had Graduated

5,076,000,000

.The Alternative Pathway program is helping Romeo Community School Students avoid dropping out and ultimately supporting the future of the Romeo Community

What is the Alternative Pathway Program?

A pilot program approved by the Board of Education and implemented in 2012-13 school year. The mission of the program is to identify our future contributing members of society that were in danger of not graduating on time and/or graduating at all Once these students were identified, the program team offers intensive academic and social intervention, to allow these students an alternative pathway to graduation. Furthermore the students also receive support to make academic and career transitions beyond Romeo High School

The Academic component

For the 2012-13 school year, the students in the program attended traditional RHS Classes, utilized Michigan Virtual School apex platform online courses, or a combination of both

The Academic component

The MVS courses allow students to learn through online delivery of content and instruction with some student control over time, place, path, and/or pace. However many of the assignments and assessments are traditional hard copy, hand written, with feedback and correction by the RHS Alternative Pathway certified teachers

The Academic component

Via the Michigan Virtual Program, students successfully completed courses in all core academic areas, electives and carreer prep The following are some examples of their academic achievements and the RHS teacher feedback

Personal Attention
Students at risk of not completing High School often have personal issues outside of school that interfere with their academic performance
Students here are shown talking to Mr. Kaufman, communicating what they need for academic success

Personal Attention
The alternative pathway program has offered students the ability to bring those issues to the attention of RHS teachers, administrators, and counselors.
Students then receive the necessary support for these issues

Students here are shown talking to Mr. Pyper communicating what they need for academic success

Personal Attention
Weekly student academic and attendance progress data is monitored by graduation coach Mr. Bryant and discussed individually with the students

Transition from RHS to the community

Based on a students career interest and academic abilities, they are offered support by the program to insure a successful transition to college, trade school, or employment.

Student Success!!!!!
During the 2012-13 school year 22 students entered the program that were in extreme danger of not graduating H.S. by August 2013

2 of those students have already graduated and transitioned beyond Romeo H.S. !!!!
8 students are within target range to graduate before the end of the school year 3 students are with within range to graduate before August

Student Success!!!!!
We would like to proudly introduce you to two of these students
1) Kayla Gedavilis- Our first graduate 2) Kayla Miracle- Is on target to graduate in May with her class, plans to attend Macomb Community college, with the ultimate goal of attending Indiana Wesleyan University