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May 10, 2007National Summit on America's Silent Epidemic - Graduation Rate Report |
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From Education Newsfeed: "We have all been talking about this problem for years and the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind gives us the perfect opportunity to act." Today, Secretary Margaret Spellings delivered remarks at the "National Summit on America's Silent Epidemic" in Washington, D.C. on the federal role in ending the high school dropout crisis. Next week, I'll travel to Little Rock, Arkansas where 50 years ago nine African-American teenagers braved violence, ridicule, and prejudice to claim their right to a quality education. Today, the struggle is about what's going on inside the classroom, and the stakes are just as high. Of these dropout factories a majority of the students trapped in them are minorities, and their high school experience looks vastly different from what most kids encounter. Forty-four years later, the dropout rate for African-American, Hispanic, and Native American students approaches 50 percent. All 50 governors have agreed to adopt a common, more rigorous graduation rate measure. The "Silent Epidemic" report, my Department's graduation rate report, all contains more accurate, real-time measures of state and district graduation rates. This Administration is already moving forward with policies to help ensure every child is given a chance to graduate, and that their diploma is a ticket to success, not just a certificate of attendance. It's clear high school students need high expectations, challenging courses that prepare and engage them, excellent teachers that care, and extra time to catch up when they fall behind. In a recent visit to Harlem with President Bush, we saw the inspirational work being done by educators who in spite of tough circumstances are helping their students achieve.
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