|
|
 |
|
The
views expressed
on this page are soley those of the author and do not
necessarily
represent the views of County News Online
|
 |
The White House
Let's reinvent
high school
We want to talk to you about our nation’s high schools for a moment.
In 2008, the Department of Education required all states, for the first
time, to use the same calculation for their high school graduation rate
-- a key accountability measure that this administration has embraced.
In 2010, President Obama and Secretary Duncan joined the America’s
Promise Alliance at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to launch the
GradNation campaign, setting a national goal of a 90 percent high
school completion rate by 2020.
We’re seeing tangible results.
High school graduation rates have risen and are continuing to rise
across America. Preliminary data from the Department of Education for
the 2013-2014 school year show the narrowing gap between students from
low-income families, students of color, students with disabilities,
English language learners and their peers.
This increase in graduation rates is the result of hard work by
millions of young people, families, educators, community leaders,
business leaders and policy makers who have come together to create
brighter futures for young people.
But while we celebrate this progress, we need to be smarter and more
persistent if we want to continue to raise graduation rates for all
students.
Today, a diverse group of people is coming together at the White House
to talk about how we can do that in a smart way. You should follow
along, and join the conversation here.
Young people have to be a respected voice at the center of change. The
only way this works is if they’re a part of the process.
The latest report out of our research institute asked young people who
left school without graduating what would have helped them stay in
school. Here’s what we found:
The most powerful “innovation” contributing to students’ success is
support from caring adults in schools. Young people told us they need
an anchor, someone whom they can trust to be a stable presence in their
lives. Even better is a web of supportive adults and peers to help them
navigate their way through life’s challenges and toward graduation and
a successful adulthood.
Students who do not graduate on time have been stigmatized as
‘dropouts.’ But we’ve been listening to these young people and learning
about the complex and extraordinary challenges they face -- unstable
housing, food insecurity, trauma, violence, physical and emotional
abuse, and bullying. Leaving school may be a last resort -- but it may
also feel like their only option. We’re humbled by these students’
determination not only to survive, but to craft a safe and meaningful
life and to fulfill their dreams.
Today, we want to applaud those participating in the White House Next
Generation High School Summit working together to accelerate innovation
that creates the conditions under which all children have a real chance
to succeed.
We want to encourage everyone who participates in today’s conversation
to be guided by the best evidence of what works. We hope we can
‘redesign’ in such a way that teachers and other adults in schools have
the time and expectation to forge real and positive relationships at
every turn.
And finally, let’s be persistent: The policies, practices and stigmas
that contribute to opportunity gaps in this country were long in the
making -- and they will take time and attention to dismantle.
Tune in and let’s get this incredibly important work done.
Thank you,
General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)
Founding Chair, America’s Promise Alliance
Alma J. Powell
Chair, America’s Promise Alliance
|
|
|
|
