The B.E.S.T. program is a workforce development program established in 1989 as a partnership between the St. Joseph School District and local organizations. The program aims to improve graduation rates, increase GED attainment, encourage lifelong learning, and provide an educated workforce. It has four components: in-class presentations, job shadowing, service learning, and reflective discussion. Initial results show improved GPAs and increased involvement for students in the first two cohorts. Students and teachers report that the program helps students identify career interests and build motivation to succeed in school.

1. The B.E.S.T. Program:
Workforce Development
Missouri Pathways Conference
March 7, 2011
Dr. Jaime Dial Dr.Tyran Sumy
Assistant Director Principal
of Secondary Education Lafayette High School
St. Joseph School District St. Joseph School District

4. PIE = Profit In Education

5. Profit In Education
•Established in 1989
•Partnership between SJSD, United Way,
MWSU, Chamber of Commerce, and
non-profit organizations.
•Works to improve the graduation rate,
increase the percentage of adults who
attain their GEDs, encourage life-long
learning, and provide an educated
workforce.

7. Business &
Education
Succeed
Together

8. Who takes this class?
9th graders who are “At-Risk”
What does that mean?
How do we select students?

9. Why have a
B.E.S.T. program?
• Increase interest in school
• Improve on-time graduation rates
• Understand the world of work in their own
community
• Motivate students to succeed in school and
equip them with needed skills to be
successful when they graduate.

10. B.E.S.T. has 4
components:
• In-class presentations
• Job-shadowing
• Service Learning
• Reflective discussion and dialogue

11. How is it going?
Cohort 1 (13 kids)
•All students are currently still enrolled in school.
•GPA as 8th graders: 2.5
•GPA as LHS 10th graders: 2.9
•Students have embraced the cohort culture. Bonding.
•All are involved in activities.
•Social skills--United Way Luncheon preparation
•Sense of normalcy.

12. Cohort 2
(24 students)
•Taking 40 honors classes total
•Only 3 are undecided on postsecondary plans
•Attendance
•United Way Luncheon preparation
•Size of group--we are still working
•Next steps--Hillyard Technical Center Partnership?

13. B.E.S.T. Summit
June, 2010

14. B.E.S.T. Summit
June, 2010

15. B.E.S.T. Summit
June, 2010

16. B.E.S.T. Summit
June, 2010

17. B.E.S.T. Summit
June, 2010

18. B.E.S.T. Summit
June, 2010

19. B.E.S.T. Summit
June, 2010

20. B.E.S.T. Summit
June, 2010

21. B.E.S.T. Summit
June, 2010

22. Year 1:
Lafayette High
School
Year 2:
Lafayette High
School and the
Colgan ARC

23. What do our students and
teacher say?

24. I believe that in order to effectively reach some
of our at-risk students, that we must build
relationships with them. The GPS program not
only allows for that to happen at a deeper level,
it establishes a system of trust and unity between
the teacher and students.
--Tina Shaginaw, Teacher

25. Something that helped me in this program was
when we cleaned Krug Park. It also made me
realize that they need more people to help out
and clean up.
--Craig, student

26. The GPS class helped me figure out if wanting to
be a cop would be a good thing and it was. I
liked all the trips but now I know I want to be a
cop.
--Troy, student

27. ...I have never really thought or even cared
about my future, then our class started going to
all these business places. It opened my eyes, and
makes me want to do good in school so I can
get a good job and so I can take care of myself
and not really have to worry about anything.
--Cheyenne, student

28. The main benefit that I received from the GPS
program was to never give up in school even
when things are hard. I also felt like the class
was a family.
--Kaitlin, student

29. ...was fun getting out of school and going to the
field trips, learning what jobs are out there. It
helped out my grades and it showed us how to
get a job. I figured out what I want to do when I
graduate; I am going to go into the Army when I
get out of school.
--Daniel, student

30. I think that this class is very fun and I love how
we get to go places and see what we can do
with our lives instead of ruining them.
--Tyler, student

31. I think that this class helps me know that I can
be what I want to be, and with that being said I
have more confidence in my future...
--Dylan, student

32. It has been one of the most challenging and
rewarding facets of my teaching career!
--Tina Shaginaw, teacher

33. I think it’s one of the best classes I’ve ever had.
--Dallas, student

34. Questions?
Dr. Jaime Dial Dr. Tyran Sumy
jaime.dial@sjsd.k12.mo.us tyran.sumy@sjsd.k12.mo.us
Twitter: @DrDial Lafayette High School
Blog: http://drdial.edublogs.org (816) 671-4220

35. IMAGES
• Hello, my name is anonymous by quinn.anya on Flickr
• banana cream pie by olgucz on Flickr
• United Way symbol from United Way’s website
• The Open Road by Stuck in Customs on Flickr