Senator Kennedy Applauds National Convening To Discuss The Dropout Crisis

Press Release

SENATOR KENNEDY APPLAUDS NATIONAL CONVENING TO DISCUSS THE DROPOUT CRISIS

Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, recognized policymakers, national leaders, and media partners for their leadership in bringing a national discussion and debate about the nation's dropout crisis to Washington D.C.. Media establishments MTV and TIME, along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Governors Association, hosted today's "National Summit on America's Silent Epidemic" to bring light to the dropout problem, and to review research and identify effective interventions that might help students better prepare to succeed in school and graduate prepared for life.

Senator Kennedy said, "The No Child Left Behind Act sets lofty goals for all schools to meet. Nevertheless, we must acknowledge that too many of America's students still don't receive all that's needed to engage and succeed in school, learn to high standards, and graduate on time. I'm grateful for the commitment of these national partners - and that of the First Lady, our nation's Governors, and our Secretary of Education - to addressing this silent but severe epidemic."

In his efforts to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act this year, Kennedy joined Senators Bingaman and Burr in introducing the Graduation Promise Act to mount a national strategy to turn around America's high schools with the lowest graduation rates. Last week, Kennedy introduced the Keeping Parents and Communities Engaged (PACE) Act, to better connect at-risk students with community-based services and respond to the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of students in schools.

"The nation's dropout rate is more than a problem - it is a national crisis - and one that a nation so deeply committed to the fundamental values of equal justice and opportunity for all cannot afford to ignore. Reaching these dropouts and giving them hope and a chance to get back on track is a national imperative."

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