While there is debate about the exact magnitude of our high school dropout rate, there is no debate that the numbers are intolerable. In California, about one in four students entering ninth grade fails to graduate four years later. In Fresno County, it is closer to one in three.
On Oct. 10, 150 students, educators, business and government representatives, community organizations and parents assembled to learn more about the issue and commit to addressing it. The Fresno County Community Graduation Summit, led by United Way of Fresno County, was one of 50 that America's Promise Alliance is sponsoring across the country to raise awareness that dropouts affect all of us. Mayor Ashley Swearengin, Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson and State Center Community College District Chancellor Tom Crow opened the summit, and all affirmed the critical importance of improving high school graduation rates.Hanson listed actions Fresno Unified has taken to address the issue, including expanded counseling services, ninth-grade academies, a mentoring program, and follow-up on comprehensive community studies of Career-Technical Education and English Learners programs.An initiative on "Equity and Access" encourages and supports capable students who might not have attempted challenging advanced courses. Hanson stressed that the district's commitment to basic skills mastery in the early grades is an essential precondition to all school success.Research findings were presented. High school dropouts are more likely to be unemployed, to depend on government and community support, to spend time in prison, and to have shortened lifespans. Dropping out is not a single event, but a slow process of disengagement. Several factors are predictors: Poor school performance in middle and high school -- low test scores and grades, course failure, grade retention. Weak student engagement -- poor attendance, misbehavior, discipline problems. Early adult responsibilities -- becoming a parent, working more than 20 hours per week outside of school to subsidize family income.A community panel described some successful local programs. County social workers are now on high school campuses to support their foster youth clients and partner with school staff to monitor attendance and academic work, intervening as problems arise. Fowler Unified Superintendent John Cruz credited his district's success and a 98% graduation rate to involving every student in service learning projects. The most inspiring presentations of the day came from students who told their own stories. Many of them overcame major challenges by joining a project or group that provided opportunities for self-expression and skill development; finding particular satisfaction in community service learning projects.They often moved to smaller schools or became part of a learning community within a larger school where they felt respected and connected. Most credited their success to a supportive family or a strong connection with another caring adult.Throughout the day, facilitators prompted participants to reflect on the presentations. At the end of the day, each table proposed possible short- and long-term solutions to the dropout crisis. Major themes that emerged included mentoring, service learning projects, parent engagement and support, and youth involvement in decision-making. These ideas and others will contribute to the community action plan that is being developed. Fresno County Superintendent Larry Powell closed the summit, urging us to reach out to disaffected kids and turn them on to learning. He emphasized basic needs: kids who lack supportive parents need other caring adults and a "storm home" -- a safe place that nurtures them. Dropouts are an expensive and critical issue in Fresno.Solutions must be found and implemented. Schools can't do it alone. It will take the effort of the whole community. Meanwhile we all pay a high price. Don't let the positive momentum created by this engaging community event be lost.If you can be part of the solution by helping to create a community action plan, contact United Way of Fresno County for more information.