FROM THE DESK OF: Ken Smith, President – Jobs for America’s Graduates

It is with great sadness – and deep appreciation for all he did to bring JAG to life and then to scale – that we report the death of our Founder, Governor Pete du Pont, on May 8. He fought a long, difficult battle with dementia beginning several years ago.

Linked here is the Statement from [Jobs for America’s Graduates] that highlights the remarkable story of Jobs for Delaware Graduates as it was first tested in 8 schools in Delaware 43 years ago. At that time, Delaware had the highest unemployment rate in the country and the second‑highest dropout rate, and Wall Street considered the state to be “bankrupt” and would not buy its bonds. The schools were performing so poorly that Delaware’s major employer at the time, the DuPont Company, publicly announced that they were about to leave the state. The state income tax rate was at 19% – also the highest in the country, which dissuaded many businesses and people from coming to Delaware. In short, it was a real mess.

Those of you who have been with us for a long time know this story, but it bears repeating to highlight the remarkable leadership of Governor du Pont – and just how important one person can be at a crucial moment. Given the high rates of youth unemployment, high school dropouts, and poorly performing schools, the Governor insisted “We can do better – far better,” and organized a series of Task Forces to develop the first Model for the program, essentially the same one delivered today by Jobs for America’s Graduates.

At that time, I was Governor du Pont’s Chief Education Advisor, so I was responsible for organizing all of it and presenting a final plan to the Governor and the cabinet for a decision. Late one evening – almost midnight – after some very difficult discussions about the state budget being in shambles and many other issues, Governor du Pont told the weary group that the plan for Jobs for Delaware Graduates was done and ready for decisions and asked me to present it.

Looking at some exhausted cabinet members over cold cups of coffee (and I have to admit, a cigarette or two), I made my best case for the program. When I was done, the Governor asked for comments. Most said, “Gosh, Ken, great idea … surely need to do something, but we just can’t now … we simply have no capacity to do this … only a small amount of political capital to spend, and the issues are much bigger.” Then the Governor asked for a vote from the cabinet and senior staff. There were 12 no’s by the time it got around to me (again with kind remarks), and I said “Yes.” The Governor paused a second and said, “The ayes have it. Our young people cannot wait, the schools cannot wait, and our employers cannot wait. Let’s see if we can do something far more effective, far more accountable, and far more cost-effective than what we’re doing now for the poorest and most disadvantaged youth in our schools.” We launched Jobs for Delaware Graduates two months later.

As you know from the earlier correspondence about the role Vice President Mondale played, the two of them took yet more risks just 18 months later – including on each other, as they were from different political parties – and on investing several million dollars of federal money (which was very difficult to come by at the time) to test the program in four other states.

I am sure that those of you who had the good fortune to know Pete du Pont all have stories to tell about his passion, his humor, and his love of interacting with all of us associated with JAG. Throughout his time as Governor, he led JAG’s national Board of Directors as he left office with term limits. He then realized it was time for a new leader – one from the opposite party – and the Governor of Virginia, Chuck Robb, assumed that leadership role.

Pete du Pont never got tired of talking about JAG and how it demonstrated that as a state and a country, we can do far better for our young people. We have compelling evidence that it can be done, and that we should all do far more.

The last public appearance of Governor du Pont was at the 35th Anniversary of Jobs for Delaware Graduates in 2014. That was the first time I became aware of the encroaching dementia. His wife, Elise, cautioned me that she was not sure he could get through even a few talking points – but he was determined to try. Governor Markell, our Chair at that time, and I conspired to be ready to step in if necessary to help him through the speech with a couple of stories about the Governor’s leadership. He just made it to the finish line. Most importantly, when he concluded his remarks, the crowd gave him a long-standing ovation. Then the young people, staff, and leaders from business, government, and communities across the state swarmed over him, shaking hands and taking pictures for at least 45 minutes after he finished his speech. He was clearly excited about the highly positive reaction.

As it turned out, the 35th Anniversary of Jobs for Delaware Graduates event was his last public appearance. As Ronald Reagan once famously said, “Leave them when they’re cheering” – and that was exactly what our Founder did, the crowd cheering for his leadership that made JAG happen.

Today, in the irony of history, we are once again facing extraordinary challenges for the most vulnerable and marginalized youth. As we noted in an earlier communication, we foresee the biggest surge in high school dropouts in American history. Regrettably, according to the soundings we have received from our front lines and from talking with Governors, Chief State School Officers, and School Superintendents across the country, it will be much worse than we originally thought.

If there is any good news in this – and there is not much – it is that Jobs for America’s Graduates is now at its largest scale, with its widest reach ever, serving the most young people in our history. We are exactly where we need to be at precisely the right time.

In short, the legacy of Pete du Pont continues – with a high level of energy and commitment and convincing and compelling evidence that we do know how to be far more effective, far more accountable, and far more cost-effective at scale and over time.

We are sending the du Pont family our deepest condolences, with a copy of our message that his leadership in transforming Delaware and establishing Jobs for America’s Graduates has not even begun to reach its full potential!

– Ken