Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Students attending the Rockefeller Alternative High School Program located on the Northeast Iowa Community College campus in Calmar, are responsible for making their own way to the school. They travel from the school districts of Decorah, North Fayette, South Winneshiek, Turkey Valley and Valley. Most have non-traditional living arrangements and rely on friends for rides to school; not always predictable or dependable. Many hold down more than one job, allowing little time for planning, organizing or completing school assignments.

Response:
The ISU Extension Family Resource Management Field Special met weekly for five weeks with the youth of the Rockefeller Alternative High School Program. Parts of each lesson from the Workplace Essentials curriculum was presented, teaching common soft skills that employers seek in an employee. One soft skill necessary for informed thinking is Flexibility or Having a Plan B (or even a Plan C and Plan D). If you are not flexible or do not have a back-up plan and something comes up that prevents you from getting to work on time, getting to work at all or being productive at work, then negative consequences will most likely occure.

In a learning activity, students were presented a calendar in which an individuals missed eight days of work in one month: funeral, headache, teacher conferences, doctor's appointment, sick child, ride did not show, plumber, child support hearing. After discussing, ways each of the missed days of work could have been avoided, by implementing a Plan B, youth were challenged to create a Plan B and Plan C for getting themselves to school each day; as absenteeism is high among these students.

Impact:
Two days after this lesson, two girls implemented their Plan B, which they had created during class, and made it the school. All students wishing to enter the Alternative School, must detail a plan as to how they will get themselves to class each day. In the future, as a result of this activity, the instructor will also ask for a Plan B, Plan C and Plan D during the Student Orientation.

Other Staff/Community Partners Involved:
Dawn Brown, Instructor Rockefeller Alternative High School Program Northeast Iowa Community College PO Box 400 Calmar , IA 52132 Phone: 800.728.2256

Contact:
Brenda Schmitt
Cerro Gordo County Extension
2023 S. Federal Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
641-423-0844
schmitt@iastate.edu