Seventy youth recently graduated from Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice programs for the 2019-2020 academic year and an additional 11 youth earned a GED.
Governor Andy Beshear issued a statement, saying “As a state, we must put education first so that every child in our state grows up to be the best they can be. I am exceptionally proud of the 81 youth from DJJ who graduated with their high school diploma or earned their GED, and look forward to the many opportunities this education will provide to them in their next educational setting or career pathway.”
Officials say the educational programs adhere to all Kentucky state requirements and each facility complies with the local school district’s plan to meet the Kentucky Academic Standards. Students receive six hours of classroom instruction per day and teachers on staff are fully certified according to Kentucky Professional Standards Board.
In addition, youth residents earned a total of 156 vocational certificates during the 2019-2020 academic year. Vocational opportunities available include: building and apartment maintenance/carpentry, building and apartment maintenance/electrical, welding, masonry, horticulture, business, computer training, fiber optics, copper cabling, home audio, energy management, telecom, and grounding and bonding.
If a youth in custody has already earned a high school diploma, they are given the opportunity to earn ACT WorkKeys, attend online college courses, participate in work experience, if applicable, or take vocational and technical classes.