Local News

New high school 'drop-back-in' program set

Marc Valero | Highlands Today
Published: December 29, 2012

SEBRING - A new program to help dropouts earn a high school diploma is slated to start classes Jan. 7 in Sebring.

The drop-back-in program will be offered by the new, nonprofit Highlands Technical Institute, according to Jamaal Mobley, who is serving as the CEO for the entity that has 20 board members.

The program will focus on students 16 to 21, he said. This is the typical drop-back-in program where students will start where they left off and teachers will help the students obtain the credits they need to graduate.

While students are earning their high school credits, they will have the option to receive basic training, through the National Healthcare Association, that can help them when seeking employment after graduation, Mobley said.

Many have tried similar programs, but haven't had a strong support system or tried to partner with the local governments or communities, he said.

Highlands Technical Institute has no connection to the drop-back-in program that operated in Highlands County for one year about two years ago, which had many student absences and ultimately few graduates.

"We have everything that we need to actually begin classes on Jan. 7," Mobley said. "We are trying to get the word across that these are free programs that can actually help them get back to work. That's our main focus."

Classes will be held at the Highlands County Extension, Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center, 4509 George Blvd, Sebring.

With a goal of 40, they currently have 15 students, Mobley said. Funding for those 16-21 will come from the Florida Youth Connections through the Heartland Workforce.

Funding for other students may come through board-member scholarships or other entities, he said.

The settings and the things they will have to motivate students will be unique, Mobley stressed.

"Sometimes you have to try different things to attract them so that they can stay persistent with obtaining their high school diploma because a lot of them are distracted; they are adults; they have real-life things to deal with," he said. "So we will a have a little athletic program forming to help them maintain their grades, etc., something to get them active so they will have a reason to work for their diploma."

For more information, check www.highlands-tech.org or call 452-5556.

mvalero@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5826