N.J. starts program to help teens at risk from dropping out

Oct. 16, 2008
By Angela Delia Santa
Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. - Though New Jersey's high school dropout rate of 17 percent is among the lowest in the nation, state officials yesterday launched a yearlong effort to reduce it even further.

The New Jersey High School Graduation Campaign aims to promote support for students, families and teachers; cultivate school leaders; and establish high expectations.

"It's important that we understand that when children, young people, stay in school, they stay out of trouble," Gov. Corzine said at a news conference at Rutgers University-Newark. "Look at our prison population: 75 percent of those in prison are high school dropouts."

Corzine, Attorney General Anne Milligram, Education Commissioner Lucille Day and other New Jersey officials were joined by Alma Powell, chairwoman of a national initiative to raise awareness about high school dropouts. Powell, wife of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, said Camden, Newark and Jersey City were among the 50 cities that America's Promise Alliance would target.

At Camden High School, for instance, the dropout rate was about one in four in the 2006-07 school year.

Powell said that a student somewhere in the country drops out every 26 seconds, on average, and that the rate in some communities had reached crisis proportions.

About 19,000 New Jersey students who were due to graduate in 2007 failed to do so, according to state officials.

The high school dropout rate is 30 percent among all U.S. students, 42 percent among Hispanic students, and 47 percent among black students.

Corzine noted the income disparity caused by a limited education: High school dropouts earn an average of about $23,000 a year, compared with about $31,000 for high school graduates and $50,000 for college graduates.

"There's a huge, huge impact on a person's life by being able to stay in school, to get the skills to be able to operate in the 21st century," he said. "I hope that all of this will come together in a way that will make a difference in young people's lives going forward."