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Tuesday, January 25, 2005
When 90,000 Kids Isn’t Enough
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today I judged a contest sponsored by Communities In Schools Georgia, an organization that helps kids through smaller high schools offering one-on-one guidance, after-school programs, mentoring etc.
Founder Neil Shorthouse noted that as hard as Communities In Schools is working, it’s still not enough. “There are 1.5 million kids in Georgia, and two-thirds of them need our help,” he said. “We’re reaching 90,000 kids in 500 sites.”
Shorthouse estimates that about a third of Georgia kids drop out of school, based on the number of kids who disappear between ninth and 12th grade. Another third manage to graduate but lack the skills necessary to get and keep a good job, according to feedback from business leaders. Shorthouse called on everyone to work harder: parents, teachers and citizens like those who volunteer with Communities in Schools.
You can find out more about this organization here.
Blog Contest Reminder: The competition is heating up, but there is still time to submit your favorite example of bureaucratic, nonsensical eduspeak. Prize is my copy of “Peterson’s Parent’s Guide to the SAT & ACT.” E-mail your submission to me by Friday.
