The Fast Forward program has been awarded the 2011 Program of the Year award by the International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention (IATDP).
The award was presented to the program at the IATDP annual conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C. earlier this year.
The Fast Forward program, led by Director David House, targets out-of-school youths ages 16 to 21 to motivate them to complete their academic careers.
“We feel honored [to win the award],”House said. “IATDP is an international organization…so it’s an important award for us.”
The program is overseen by Sinclair Community College and serves 16 school districts. The program is partnered with four local high schools that include: Improved Solutions for Urban Systems, Miami Valley Career Technology Center, Life Skills of Dayton and the Mound Street Academies.
From 2000 to 2008, the Fast Forward program has decreased dropout rates in Montgomery County from 25.6 percent to 12.6 percent, according to the Fast Forward Center Annual Report for 2009-2010.
Through the program, students have earned more than 2,500 high school and general education diplomas, according to House.
House said the program primarily focuses on students who are attempting to receive their high school diploma but focuses on GEDs when they are restricted by age.
Ohio state law only permits students to obtain their high school diploma until the age of 22, according to House.
The Fast Forward program not only helps students attain high school diplomas or GEDs they also offers a gateway to college through a scholarship, according to House.
“We recently have taken the second step for students,” House said. “John and Connie Taylor have established the Taylor scholarship fund for our students. We partner with four high schools and any one of our students, who wish to continue their education at Sinclair, can compete for this scholarship which allows students to continue their education at minimum costs.”
The Fast Forward Center office is located inside the Montgomery County Job Center and more information about the Fast Forward program can be obtained there or by calling 512-3278.