Tackling America's Dropout Crisis: What Parents Need to Know

Newest Issue of Our Children Magazine Focuses on Education Crisis


ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwire - December 8, 2010) - Every nine seconds, a student in America drops out of school, according to the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition. This is an alarming statistic. That's why the December 2010-January 2011 edition of National PTA's flagship magazine, Our Children, is a special-focus issue devoted to information and strategies for parents to address the dropout crisis. Here are highlights of the issue:

  • Will Your Kindergartner Drop Out of High School?
    Ken Seeley, EdD, president of the National Center for School Engagement, explains what researchers have found to be a very early predictor that a student will eventually drop out of high school.
  • Family Engagement: An Essential Strategy for Increasing Graduation Rate
    This article by Jay Smink, DEd, of the National Dropout Prevention/Center Network at Clemson University, discusses one of the 15 Most Effective Strategies to Increase the High School Graduation Rate that PTAs affect directly. The full list of strategies is also included in this must-read for parents, educators, and all education stakeholders.
  • Graduation Requirements and Diploma Options: What Families Need to Know
    Calling all parents! Did you know that states are implementing various high school reforms to ensure kids are ready for college? There's also more than one kind of high school diploma, particularly for special-needs student. This article from the Center for Workforce Development of the Institute for Educational Leadership provides all the details.

For an advance copy of this issue, please contact the National PTA Media Relations Team by December 10. The issue will be online at www.pta.org/ourchildren in mid December.

About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

To view this release in a media-rich format, go to: http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2010/pta_01208/index.html

Contact Information:

Contacts:
James Martinez
Office: (800) 307-4782 Ext. 3432
Cell: (571) 329-9352