100 Black Men of Mobile, Alabama- Programs- Phoenix Program

Pride and Progress

An alternative program designed to provide educational opportunities for students who are-at-risk of dropping out of school or under long term suspension from the regular school program. Under this program, students are encouraged to stay in school and modify their behavior so they can achieve academic success. The program is in collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education, the Mobile County Public School System and the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile, Inc.

Five Performance Indicators were established for the 1998-99 year.

Performance Indicator Actual Narrative

Retain and prepare 80% of GED students eligible to pass the GED test by the end of school
- 11 passed GED Test 53 passed in program.
- 23 of the remaining 42 students enrolled in the program passed portions of the test. Those students continue to work toward mastery.

Maintain a 1-15 faculty/client ratio in All GED instructional settings.

Based on an enrollment of between 30 & 53 students, a 1-10 and 1-18 faculty/client ratio was maintained for the year.

Maintain a 1-12 faculty/client ratio in our regular instructional setting.

Based on an enrollment of between of 27 and 29 regular students, a 1-12 and 1-9 faculty/client ratio was maintained for the year.

Maintain an instantaneous enrollment of 45 to 60 clients in the combined programs for regular and GED students.

82 students enrolled in combined programs.
These students maintained an average monthly attendance of between 82% and 89% for the year.

Instruct, and prepare 95% of regular education students to become eligible by way of improved behavior and academic success, to return to their regular school setting by the end of their prescribed probationary period.

52 students eligible by way of improved behavior and academic success to return to their regular school setting by the end of their prescribed probationary period.
12 seniors were eligible for graduation after attending this program.

Excerpts from Quotes from Students/Parents:

"The Phoenix Program has really helped me out a lot. I am very grateful that I had the chance to come here instead of any other alternative school. The administration and staff have been very supportive of the situations that we all have been in. The teachers here at the Phoenix Program have been most helpful toward the efforts of our learning."
Michael Rowe

"The Phoenix Program has helped me to improve my grades from E's to B's to C's. The workers here also helped me to get a job, something I needed the most. The administration and staff have been good to me. They have taught me right from wrong. They also helped me to be what I am today. My teachers have given me a chance to show them what I can do. They also helped when I needed help in class. If it had not been for this program, I'd be on the streets. I would not have a job right now either."
James Moore

"The Phoenix Program has really touched me and made me think of things I need to improve. It has taught me how to respect the people around me. The administration and staff have been there for me when I had a problem, and they have really made me think about my future. My teachers here have helped me in things I couldn't understand. They also told me that I have the ability to do better. If it had not been for this program, I would probably be locked up or maybe doing drugs, or even worse, pregnant."
Julia Cochran

"My son was having problems in his regular school. I said what am I going to do now? I can't give up on him. I talked with his counselor when she said that my son Michael would be given a second chance. I want to thank the 100 Black Men for giving me and my son a second chance through the Phoenix Program. They have worked so well with Michael. I can see the difference in the way he thinks, the way he feels things should be now, not only at home but also at church and in his outdoor activities with his friends." We are so grateful. Thank you.
Felicia Albritton

"My wife and I would like to take this opportunity to express out concern and appreciation for the Phoenix Project for helping our daughter to continue her high school education and serving as a stepping stone toward her future, especially when her life could have been totally destroyed. The Phoenix Project was able to motivate her behavior whereas she was able to return to a regular classroom setting and was able to graduate and receive her diploma. Today she is a part of the working class. Thanks Phoenix Project."
James and Annie Moorer

"...About two and a half years ago my boys were suspended from school and that left me with no hope. The Phoenix Program was there for me and my boys. Thank God for the Phoenix Program."
Ms. Judy Lambert