Fast Forward program shares successes at it enters year 14

Lethbridge School Division’s Fast Forward High School Completion Initiative has produced its fair share of success stories over the last 14 years.
Last school year alone, 33 students earned high school diplomas through Fast Forward, a program designed to serve students who may be struggling in a traditional setting, at risk of non-completion or who are returning to their education after an absence.
“The ultimate goal of Fast Forward is to provide high school students, who did not graduate or who are at-risk of not graduating, the extra support and assistance needed to complete their high school education and receive an Alberta High School Diploma,” said Nikki Cale, the Division’s Student Support Advisor for Fast Forward.
Fast Forward aims to develop a relationship between the student and the Student Support Advisor over the course of the student’s time in the initiative.
By building unique, flexible and supportive options to reach academic and career goals, Fast Forward gives students the opportunity to address the challenges that were making school difficult.
“Fast Forward strives to understand the most significant barriers to High School Completion and to identify strategies to help overcoming these barriers so that students can experience success in their learning,” said Cale.
Providing direct pathways to achieving goals revolves around finding the most efficient route to meet high school diploma requirements and/or getting students onto a career path, she added.
To date, Fast Forward has supported 1,074 students earning 11,114 credits. Each student’s personal needs and situation is a central consideration to planning for each of them.
“For example, if students are working, living independently, have a baby, suffer from chronic illness, we create a plan that can accommodate their situation,” said Cale. “There are many different paths to take that arrive at the same destination.”
The program is also about more than academics alone.
“Fast Forward endeavours to connect students with school and community resources that help mitigate barriers to their success in their academic, career or personal life,” said Cale. “This may include booking appointments, transporting and accompanying students to meetings.”
Fast Forward serves students in all five Division high schools, and has proven to be an effective and important program supporting many of the most vulnerable high school students and emerging young adults, according to Cale.
“The promise of someone’s belief in them and that someone will walk alongside them every step of the way is often the nudge needed for them to get started,” she said. “Students in the program make significant achievements in their personal and academic lives. Fast Forward helps students venture into their future career path or post-secondary opportunity with more confidence, a better understanding of community resources available to them and a stronger skill set to advocate for their own personal needs.”
Allison Purcell, Board Chair, Lethbridge School Division, said the Board recognizes the hard work students have put in to be successful through Fast Forward.
“As a Board, we would like to congratulate each and every student that has returned and joined the Fast Forward program,” said Purcell. “Whether it's a few credits they have earned, achieved their High School Diploma or earned their Certificate of Achievement, we are proud of them. Hard work, dedication and a commitment to education all played a role in seeing students take this crucial step. We recognize that it is not easy, but it is so important for their futures to be committed to their education.” The Board chair added Fast Forward staff also deserve a pat on the back.
“In addition, we want to thank the staff that dedicate the time and effort to knowing that, the one single phone call, the visit or other touch point is what will make a difference in the lives of these young people. It is about thinking outside the box, being creative and developing these important relationships and trust that helps these students achieve their goals.”
Students looking for more information on Fast Forward can get connected through a school administrator or a wellness team member at their designated school. Youth in the community are welcome to call 403-308-7276 with inquiries.