On May 24, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved AYW’s charter amendment to merge its two campuses, which were following separate models of education, to one campus called the Service Learning Academy (Academy) that will focus solely on teaching high school academics through service-learning.  Starting in the fall of 2011, each student who attends AYW will earn their elective credits by participating in a Corps program where they will complete service-learning projects that benefit the community such as building energy efficient homes and refurbishing computers for low income Austinites, restoring habitat for endangered species or testing for water quality.  In addition, these students will get exposure to career pathways by gaining job skills and by interacting with industry professionals.

AYW has always practiced project-based learning as a way students can engage more fully in their classes and gain job skills through hands-on experience.  About 15 years ago, AYW began to incorporate service-learning practices in order to further enhance the students’ educational experience by giving them an opportunity to address authentic community needs.  The Academy officially started two years ago as a pilot program.  After comparing test scores, attendance rates and dropout rates between students in the Academy and the traditional campus, AYW staff decided they could better serve at-risk youth by merging the two campuses and focusing solely on the model that was getting superior results.

Based on the academic indicators of the TEA, Academy students have shown greater improvements in academics and participation.  The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) TAKS scores for English Language Arts of Academy students rose from 59% passing in 2008 to 87% in 2010 and during the same time period, NCLB TAKS Mathematics scores rose 23%.  Since the inception of the Academy, the attendance rates for its students have increased nearly 20% and the dropout rates have decreased.

In addition to considering test scores, AYW staff also looked at a study performed by, RH2, an independent research group, which compared AYW’s student population to Austin Independent School District (AISD) and statewide populations and studied the effect of the Academy on academics and employment.  The study found that almost 100% of AYW students meet the state criteria for being “at risk” of dropping out of school compared to roughly half of the students in AISD and statewide.  In addition, the study found AYW’s Academy motivates students, in part, by providing opportunities for them to bond in small groups and make contributions to their community.  The study went on to say, “AYW’s service-learning programs tend to have more of a practical vocational orientation to prepare students for their own futures as well as to provide services to the community.”

On May 27, AYW hosted an Enrollment Picnic.  Parents and current or potential students had the opportunity to learn about participating in a Corps program, solve math problems for prizes and enjoy lunch on the back lawn at AYW.

American YouthWorks
Charter School

Marlene Amaya
Liliana Colin
John Deluna
Richard Dublin
Kerri Douglass*^ (Honor Graduate Scholarship Recipient)
Cynthia Echavarria
Charlie Engebretson*
Mario Espino
Nicole Fernandes*
Anna French
Marcelina Galindo
Erick Gomez
Lorenzo Humphries
Katalina Jimenez
Andrew Johnson
Ivanna Johnson
Christian Linker
Jose Martin Lugo
Sebastian Mason
Julieta Moncada
Jessica Nay*
Daniel Quintanilla
Rachel Ramirez
Deamon Robinson
Nicholas Ruiz
Tim Rutledge
Gerardo Salinas
Ashley Samilpa
Kevin Schoen
Joe Torres
Jennifer Tolico
Damaris Viera
Claudia Villareal* (Richard Halpin Scholarship Recipient)
George Villela^
Kassandra Zundt

Service Learning Academy
GED Recipients

Isa Arizola
Ashley Burkes^
Jennifer Canales
Mark Freeman
Charles Gadison^
Nallely Garcia
Mariah Garza^
Ian Linke^
San Martin Maldonaldo
Gabric Miller^
Renee Neal
Adam Pantoja
Ashley Perez
Spencer Riojas^
Zachary Vasquez^
Georgia Warren

Diploma Recipients

Diana Bravo^ (Joe Jerkins Scholarship Recipient)
Jennifer Burnell^
Alejandro Bustos*^ (Honor Graduate Scholarship Recipient)
Ateshia Flint*^
Maria Garcia
Paloma Hernandez*^
Jenny Rodriquez^
Morris Williams*^
Kandice Wilson

* Denotes Top 10% of Class
^ Denotes Service Corps Member

A special congratulations to scholarship recipients Kerri Douglass, Claudia Villareal, Diana Bravo, and Alejandro Bustos. AYW would also like to thank the Invocation Pastor N. Jordan Mkwanazi and Keynote Speaker, The Honorable Raul Gonzales for their participation.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and spporting our graduates! They worked hard and deserve to celebrate this great achievement! To see more pictres, visit our Facebook album.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUSTIN, TX – June 17, 2010 – The American YouthWorks Board of Directors announced on June 16, 2010, the hiring of former American YouthWorks Environmental Corps Director, Parc Smith, as Chief Executive Officer. Parc takes the role over from Interim CEO, Dick Pierce, who assumed CEO duties during the leadership transition period.

Parc Smith started with American YouthWorks in 1995 as a teacher and crew leader for the Environmental Corps and later filled roles as a program coordinator and most recently as Director of Environmental Corps and part of the Senior Management Team for the entire organization. With over 17 years experience in trail design and construction, parks, and conservation work, Parc was awarded State Trail Worker of the Year in 2004 at the American Trails National Trails Symposium and Trail Designer and Project Director for 2009 National Recreation Trails Coalition award winning “Southwest Keys Trail” for Accessibility Enhancement Project of the Year. Parc leads workshops and speaks at national conferences on national service and youth conservation corps involvement in land management, trail building and project-based outdoor education as a model for transforming lives of at-risk youth to youth “at-promise.” He serves on the Texas Recreation Trails Grant Review Committee and several regional advisory boards. He grew up in Stephenville, Texas, graduated from Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas and has called Austin home since 1995.

“The Board announces a new era at AYW. With the energy, dedication and integrity of Parc Smith as our CEO, we can only move forward to continue changing the lives of young people” says Board President, Margarine G. Beaman.

Parc joins Chester Steinhauser, COO, and Jenny Emmons, Superintendent, on the Executive Team at American YouthWorks as they continue to strengthen the mission of American YouthWorks, transforming the lives of at-risk youth through education, service and green jobs training.

About American YouthWorks
American YouthWorks is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Austin, Texas that is dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk youth through education, service and green jobs training. AYW operates a public charter high school district including its Service Learning Academy, GED program and green job andservice corps programs, Casa Verde Builders, Environmental Corps, Computer Corps and Green Energy Corps. American YouthWorks also offers onsite social services, including a parent/child development center and academic coaching and counseling. For more than thirty years, American YouthWorks has assisted thousands of local youth in transforming their lives through community service, education and a commitment to preserving the natural environment.
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Looking for a job? Looking to enhance your career?

• Computer Skills Workshop: Thursday, April 1^st from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

This workshop provides participants guidance in the basic use of the computer and its applications. Participants will also receive assistance in opening and effectively utilizing email accounts and Parent Portal

• Resume Workshop: Thursday, April 15^th from 6:00–7:00p.m.

This workshop will illustrate and teach participants how to create a dynamic and effective resume

• Interview Skills: Thursday, April 22^nd from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

In this workshop participants will learn techniques for a successful job interview

• Dress for Success: Thursday, May 13^th from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

First impressions can make or break an interview, so dressing appropriately is key. At this workshop you will learn the dos and don’ts of dressing for an interview.

• Time Management Workshop: Thursday May 20^th from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

This workshop will present attendees with a list of common barriers to effective time management and will teach appropriate ways to overcome those barriers.

If you plan to attend any workshops, please register with Maria Pinales, Parent Liaison at 744-1935 or email at mpinales@americanyouthworks.org if you have any questions.

Click here for a flyer and and registration form for the  University of Phoenix Workshop Series

Snow covered the grounds at American YouthWorks today! See the photos on our Facebook page.

American YouthWorks will close today at 12:45 pm after lunch.  Please contact Jenny Emmons if you have any questions or concerns or call 744-1900.