Increasing Graduation Rates
Upward mobility and opportunity have long been the hallmarks of American society, as generation after generation surpassed their parents’ achievements. But declining high school graduation rates threaten this progress, especially for young Americans of color. First Focus believes America can improve graduation rates and restore access to the American dream by strengthening polices and programs to meet the needs of students in and outside of the classroom. Specific policy priorities for 2007 include:
- Strengthen Graduation Accountability. Test scores are important, but a school is not succeeding when students drop out before they take the test. Congress should strengthen NCLB accountability requirements to promote graduation. First Focus advocates for standard graduation benchmarks and research to identify and promote effective dropout prevention strategies.
- Increase Support for High Schools. Three out of ten students will not graduate with their class. At a time with the fastest growing jobs require at least some postsecondary education, we clearly must to better. First Focus will advocate to strengthen support for the nation’s high schools, helping to ensure that every student is prepared for college, work and lifelong citizenship.
