CHOICES Education Group: Keeping teens“into”school.

Nearly 15% of students who enter Louisiana high schools drop out, and only 72% graduate on time. How can educators help the state reach its goal of an 80% graduation rate by 2014? What programs are successfully combating the problem and how can they be replicated? CHOICES Education Group is a part of the solution being embraced by Lousiana communities--thanks to the support of a Taco Bell Grant and local rotarians. CHOICES Education Group Executive Director, Leo Muller was recently interviewed as part of a bigger series.

Education Nation is NBC News' initiative to engage the country in a solutions-focused conversation about the state of education in America. In late September, Seattles NBC Affiliate interviewed CHOICES Executive Director, Leo Muller on how CHOICES fits into the solution.

A store clerk makes about $9 an hour — or just less than $19,000 a year. A probation officer makes about $49,000 a year. A professional baseball player can make millions.
So what do young people need to do to achieve a financially stable future? Make good choices, among other things.

Choices, a workshop designed to inspire high school students to think about their future, was presented to Alisal High School freshmen Tuesday and Wednesday. It will travel through the Salinas Valley in the coming days.

For local businesswoman Stephaine Buffaloe, volunteering for the CHOICES program isn't about performing a civic duty; it's a calling.

Alana Parker, presenter for the CHOICES program, fans out her money while Adrienne Thompson laughs. Allison Fisher (back right) counts her money as they start an income-based role-playing scenario.

Since the Shoals Chamber of Commerce began its program 11 years ago, thousands of eighth-graders throughout Colbert and Lauderdale counties have been the beneficiaries of the program that sets students on a path to making good life and career choices.

Teenagers often live in the moment, not thinking too far down the road about how their decisions today can affect their entire life.

However, one local company has been working for 20 years to help students see that connection. Lexcom Communications has 23 employees who go out multiple times each year to middle and high schools as representatives of the nonprofit CHOICES program.

Washington, DC Television Station Airs CHOICES Presentation in Virginia.
Lake Braddock Middle School in Burke, VA – just outside Washington, DC, had CHOICES delivered on February 28 & 29 by eight Bank of America volunteer presenters, with the cameras taking it all in. WUSA TV Channel 9 was on the scene and grabbed some great workshop footage. They also interviewed some students and their teacher, Deborah Dempsey, who also serves as Lake Braddock’s CHOICES Program Manager.

CHOICES featured on H Texas
The Truth in Consequences. By Shay Fan. CHOICES came to Conroe, Texas 14 years ago, so it is only fitting that the Education for Tomorrow Alliance (EFTA) and one of its presenters is featured in Houston’s “H” Magazine’s February article on CHOICES. The piece, cleverly entitled “Truth in Consequences,” provides some CHOICES history, but the story focuses on EFTA presenter Keith Hazelwood, who has presented CHOICES since 1998, and is actually told by teens that he is “cool,” an assessment he rarely received from his own kids when they were in high school.

CHOICES PSA on Northwest Afternoon
Watch this 15-second public service announcement filmed on the set of Seattle's Northwest Afternoon, compliments of KOMO TV Channel 4.

CHOICES makes Top Ten list for NPower Seattle’s 2007 Innovation Award.
Nominated Innovation: Seattle Seahawks MVP Shaun Alexander teamed up with CHOICES to invite fans to make pledges on every yard he gained during the 2006 season and playoffs. Visitors to CHOICE’s custom website watched avidly as Shaun’s yardage and their pledges added up to $43,000 towards keeping more than 8,000 teens “into” school.

Portion of proceeds from Wolf tournament donated to CHOICES
Towanda Daily Review - Towanda, PA, USA
The mission of the CHOICES Education Group is to empower students with vital tools that will increase their career and life opportunities. ...

Pittsburgh Business Leaders Help Students Make Right CHOICES
The Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce - Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Using a grant from Nordstrom, The Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce delivers choices to local 7th and 8th graders.

CHOICES In The News