Coalition releases findings

A coalition that held a series of statewide hearings assessing Michigan's dropout crisis released its findings October 20 at a Dropout Leadership Prevention Summit in Lansing.

The “Dropouts: One is Too Many” coalition set out to jump start community conversations about the problems stemming from the approximately 21,000 students who drop out of school in Michigan every year. The hearings were held in Grand Rapids, Clinton Township, Detroit, Lansing, Flint, Traverse City, Ishpeming, Saginaw, Wayne , Ferndale and Kalamazoo between May and October.

Testimony was collected from more than 500 people who attended the hearings or shared ideas online at www.mea.org/dropouts. About 1,600 pages of testimony were

MAISA was one member of that coalition, which also included the MEA, Kent Intermediate School District, Michigan’s Children, Michigan’s Charter Schools, Michigan’s Promise, and Michigan Future, Inc.

Four key themes were culled from about 1,600 pages of testimony collected at public hearings around the state:

1. Students need caring relationships.
2. One size doesn't fit all students.
3. Tackle the problem early—high school is too late.
4. This isn't just a "school" problem; community collaboration is critical.

These themes were echoed by speakers and panels at the October 20 Dropout Leadership Prevention Summit.

To read a press release from the Summit, go to www.mea.org/dropouts. The site includes an executive summary of the report, video highlights, hearing transcripts and audio, online testimony and more.