Today's Most Popular Video
Apr 22, 2009 5:59 pm US/Central
Mpls. Schools Dispute Dropout Vs. Graduation Rates
(WCCO)
-
-
In 2004, the graduation rate at the district's seven high schools was 76.1 percent. In 2008, it rose to 87.9, that's an improvement of 11.8 percent over the past four years.
CBS
A national report by the America's Promise Alliance said between 1995 and 2005, more than one in four kids left high school without getting a diploma. That report said 45 percent of students in Minneapolis High Schools drop out.
On Wednesday, the district told WCCO-TV that the report is misleading and flat out wrong.
Some North High School students who were struggling are now real life success stories.
You might say the students are part of a reality show: the reality of how hard it is to make it to graduation when you're struggling early on. In the before part of our show, they all have their personal stories of woe -- failing grades, truancy and suspensions.
"Since sixth grade I've been getting bad grades," said North High School Sophomore Larry Cook Jr.
"I needed some extra help with my work, especially in math," said North High School Junior Trea'sur Canada.
"I was always late to first period," said North High School Senior Elijah Berg.
Because of the warning signs, these students were recruited to the Check and Connect program, funded through grants. It's in some schools nationwide, including all of the Minneapolis High Schools.
Adult mentors connect with students regularly, form long-term relationships, help with homework and talk about issues at home.
"There is no single cause for dropout. If there was, there would be an easy solution," said Minneapolis Public Schools Check and Connect Coordinator Colleen Kaibel. "That's why we look at each student individually to identify their needs."
Now you see smiles on the faces of the students because they're making great grades. The before story wasn't great, but now each of the students are getting more As than ever. They have bright futures that include graduating on time.
"This program has helped a lot with my grades ... because I just off of a quarter that was the best in my whole entire life. I got four As, a C+ and a C which is the most As I have ever gotten in all of school," Berg said.
"Ever since Check and Connect, I have kept my grades up and I met some really nice people and I'm doing good. I'm doing good and I see myself graduating," Canada said.
"I'd probably still be getting bad grades, but thank goodness I'm not, because I've got plans now. I've got my whole life planned," Cook said.
Minneapolis Schools officials said the Check and Connect program is one of the reasons the dropout rates have dropped dramatically.
In 2004, the graduation rate at the district's seven high schools was 76.1 percent.
In 2008, it rose to 87.9, that's an improvement of 11.8 percent over the past four years.
Minneapolis Schools officials said that the national study treats students who move from one school to another as a dropout. And, those study numbers end at 2005.
Minneapolis has more current numbers, and has been reducing dropouts every year.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Letters To Santa Sent To Sex Offender?
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
