High school graduates tend to fare better than students who leave school. But what if those students could get back on track? The Southern Education Deskhighlights people who went back to pursue their degrees and programs that helped them get there.
Donna Dukes founded Marathon Academy in East Birmingham the same year she graduated college, in 1991. She wanted to help students who often fall through the cracks or just need a second chance for success.
Sernitria Bell of Birmingham left high school in the 12th grade. At the age of 26, she made a decision that changed her life.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students often report facing hostile school environments. As a result, many say they leave or get pushed out. A new program in New Orleans supports some of those students as they work toward a degree.
The program — called Posh Academy — is part of BreakOUT!, a non-profit focused on LGBTQ youth. NOPLAYprovides instructors. 23-year-old Lhundyn Fernandez and 25-year-old Kiera Dixon both attend the program.
Ben is determined to graduate from the Academy at Old Cockrill in Nashville, Tennessee, despite his chronic illness. Old Cockrill is designed for students who need flexibility to get their degree.
Though he's a teenager, Kevin is the man of the house. While in high school, he worked long hours to help out, which made staying in school a struggle. Instead of dropping out, he stuck with it and graduated from Nashville's Stratford STEM Magnet High School.
The Southern Education Desk Series "Back on Track" is supported by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional support for education reporting on WWNO comes from Baptist Community Ministries and Entergy Corporation.