BizVoice -- March / April 2018

March/April 2018 – BizVoice/Indiana Chamber 29 “One thing that’s unique to our model is that we continue to try to figure out what’s happening to folks after they leave,” Delgado imparts. “We survey our graduates often and we’ve discovered that texting is the best way. We get a really high response rate. “We say at graduation, ‘You’re going to get texts from us. Please respond, because then we can help the people that are coming behind you.’ Pay it back, right?” One survey revealed that 73% of graduates (that were parents) reported an increased focus on education in their home. In addition, they expressed their children were doing better with their own education. “They had more confidence in their education, which is extraordinary because when you look at the (national) data, it says, ‘If you’re a dropout, your child is 50% more likely to drop out.’ We feel like not only are we helping the immediate person in our school, but we’re also helping the family,” Delgado remarks. In 2017, a study conducted by the Center for Evaluation & Education Policy at Indiana University found that 38% of The Excel Center graduates go on to college. “What’s most proud for me is that of those 38%, 76% are retaining in college. It’s extraordinary,” a beaming Delgado proclaims. “Six months after they leave us, they’re making – on average – about $10,000 more than when they (joined The Excel Center)!” ‘Untapped workforce’ Approximately 450,000 working-age Hoosier adults have dropped out of high school. “That’s our target audience,” Kramer declares. “It’s an opportunity because it truly is an untapped workforce for these jobs that are available. And for the state and for the employers in the state, it’s access to really strong labor.” Delgado seconds that. “Employers are excited because they’re getting a well-educated, committed employee. And when you look at the landscape of Indiana and you do the math on how many students are going to graduate from high school – and how many middle-skill and above jobs there are going to be – the math doesn’t work out. There aren’t enough students that are going to be graduating from high school to fill the jobs we have. The employers get quite excited about this population because it’s kind of a found workforce.” Kramer shares a parting thought. “There’s lots of programs out there in place to help this population, but I think the secret sauce is making sure that you understand the barriers they’re facing – the barriers to success. And you work with them. And you empower them. And you provide them a hand-up – not a handout, but a hand-up towards success.” Success Story: Kayla Ignacio Gaspar Age: 27 Graduate: The Excel Center Kokomo Profession: Inspector, Tyson Fresh Meats (part of the USDA), Logansport “I ended up going back to school so I could pursue a career with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and be able to make a better life for my kids. It’s great! I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to make my next paycheck or how I’m going to pay all of my bills. I can start letting my kids do sports and stuff. “I earn $8,000 more a year (as a high school graduate versus her position at a previous employer).” Her advice to prospective Excel Center students: “If I can do it, you can do it! I did it with three kids, working full time, second shift. I stuck to a schedule and kept going. And I finished!” RESOURCE: The Excel Center at www.theexcelcenter.org All eyes are forward during an algebra class, one of the last hurdles prior to graduation.