Mission Statement
A solid education helps provide better jobs, better pay, and gives citizens more opportunity and choices for their lives. That is why the Mayor has worked so hard with schools, community organizations and businesses to help students graduate from high school.
These programs help students find the resources and encouragement that they need to receive their high school diploma.
Description
Expectation Graduation - Reach Out to Dropouts Walk
Reach Out to Dropouts is a door-to-door outreach that began in a dinner conversation between former Mayor Bill White, his wife, Andrea and the former Superintendent of Houston ISD, Dr. Abe Saavedra. Each year, when a student fails to show up to class at the beginning of the school year volunteers go door-to-door knocking at the homes of these students. The volunteers offer the encouragement and resources that these students lack to complete their high school education. This award-winning program has been followed by other cities across the country. Over the first six years of the event, the walk has brought back over 8,800 students thanks to the help of over 15,600 volunteers. The 2010 walk included nine Texas big cities, 13 small cities and 18 Houston-area school districts.
To learn more about the Walk go to www.expectationgraduation.org.
Graduation Game Plan
Being successful takes good planning. It is important that students, as well as parents and mentors, plan for life after high school graduation to prepare for jobs with the most opportunity.
The Mayor’s Office of Education Initiatives has partnered with Expectation Graduation to create "The Graduation Game Plan" to help students begin planning for college and careers. It includes helpful information to identify career interests, set goals, establish organizational skills, and learn about important job skills.
The Graduation Game Plan covers four areas:
- Graduate High School
- Prepare for Life After High School
- Get the Workforce Skills You Need
- Manage Yourself Effectively
Parents, mentors, and counselors are encouraged to facilitate discussion about graduation goals by using the User Guide as a way to make sure students have support reaching their goals. Your involvement will help your student get closer to achieving their dreams!
To start on your Graduation Game Plan, go towww.expectationgraduation.org/graduationgameplan.
