Everyone can play a part in reducing dropout rates

Jon Corzine

is governor of New Jersey

Too many young people in New Jersey and the nation are dropping out of school. As former Secretary of State Colin Powell and his wife, Alma, have pointed out through the America's Promise Alliance, the organization they founded, the dropout crisis is a "silent epidemic."

Every 26 seconds, an American student drops out. That's about 1.1 million young people per year. While estimates vary in New Jersey, one respected organization puts the number at 19,000 dropouts in 2007.

Students who do not graduate are twice as likely to live in poverty, three times as likely to be unemployed, and eight times as likely to end up in prison. At a time of economic uncertainty, one fact remains constant: If we help our young people stay in school, graduate, and prepare for college and a career, we will help them succeed.

Earlier this year, I was proud to sign an America's Promise Alliance pledge and commit to convening a statewide dropout-prevention campaign here in New Jersey.

Camden, Newark and Jersey City are among the 50 U.S. cities that America's Promise has targeted in its campaign to stem the tide of dropouts.

Last week in Newark, we launched a yearlong New Jersey High School Graduation Campaign. We were joined by close to 500 education, business, civic, nonprofit and faith leaders for a kickoff symposium. This was the first of several forums planned to identify promising dropout-prevention practices.

The campaign will culminate in a major summit next fall, during which we expect to discuss policy recommendations, highlight best practices, and develop action plans.

There are several important goals in this campaign to increase graduation rates, but perhaps none more important than signaling that we all must play a part. I am particularly pleased that so many community and civic organizations have already signed on. A business coalition is being formed, too.

This campaign builds on important work that we have already begun in New Jersey. For example, a core component of the public safety plan I unveiled a year ago is organized around keeping young people in school and engaged. It centers on reducing truancy, expanding and improving job training and after-school programs, and helping schools and communities better coordinate the services they offer.

Another state initiative is already moving to redesign middle schools and high schools to more effectively prepare students for the demands of life and work.

New Jersey has plenty to be proud of in its education system. It often ranks among the top states on important indicators of educational success.

But we cannot rest until we know that no one is being left behind, that all children are graduating, and that they graduate with the skills and education they need. That's why we are convening the New Jersey High School Graduation Campaign and addressing this silent epidemic.