American Grads

The Problem 

1.3 million kids drop out of high school per year costing our nation more than $100 billion in lost wages and taxes, plus the increased social costs due to crime and healthcare.

The Solution

Research shows that we can help keep students on the path to college and careers if we:

• Start with early reading
• focus on the middle grades
• build on early waring and intervention systems
• create a multi-sector and community-based effort
• elicit perspectives of students, educators, and parents
• set high expectations and engaging coursework

The dropout rate in America is under attack and Albuquerque's PBS station KNME, under the guidance of Laurel Wyckoff, is presenting a series of meetings for selected members of the community to discuss and work toward a solution to the problem.  Here are the sites and reports recommended by the American Grads program to help members develop ideas about solutions to the problem facing our students.

Recommended Reading and Websites 

1. UNM Center for Education Policy Research
2. Mapping the Landscape of Educational Outcomes in Albuquerque 
3. American Graduate | New Mexico PBS
4. AT&T Aspire High School Educational Foundation & Grants 
5. What Works Clearinghouse
6. Parent Revolution
7. Hostile takeover: Parents seek control of failing school ..
8. Can The Lure of Driver's License Keep Kids in School?
9. New Mexico First
10. Elev8 New Mexico 
11. Junior Achievement of New Mexico 
12. Citizen Schools New Mexico
13. 7 keys for community anchor institutions
14. United Way of Central New Mexico
15. New Mexico Speaks | A Virtual Town Hall
16. Gateway to College - Welcome
17. Sustained Positive Effects on Graduation Rates
18. The Silent Epidemic
19. Central New Mexico Education Needs Assessment
20. Lightening the Load
21. Channeling Change: Making Collective Impact Work
22. It Takes a Whole Society
23. A Count For Quality
24. New Mexico Progress Report
25. Dropout Prevention Guide
26. Competing for School Improvement Dollars