The Dropout Prevention Act

September 27, 2011

Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz
Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch
Co-Chairs, Joint Committee on Education
State House
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Chairwoman Chang-Diaz and Chairwoman Peisch:

On behalf of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, I am writing to urge you to favorably report out S185, the Dropout Prevention Act.

United Way is supportive of this bill for many reasons.  At a national level as well as in Massachusetts, United Way has made addressing the dropout crisis a priority.  The bill aligns with United Way's goals of ensuring that children are ready to learn when they enter school and graduate from high school with viable options.  In Massachusetts, nearly 10,000 kids never graduate.  Private foundations and non-profits like the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley have worked to reverse these numbers.  If passed, this legislation would demonstrate the state's further commitment to increase graduation rates to ninety percent by 2020, a target endorsed by the state's Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery Commission. 

Among the provisions United Way supports is the expansion of the Early Warning Indicator System (EWI) to the third grade.  Research shows that kids who proficiently read by third grade are more likely to graduate and lead productive lives, and the expansion of the EWI is a step toward ensuring that outcome.  Potential dropouts can be identified as early as late elementary and middle school with indicators such as poor attendance, behavior, and academic performance ("Building a Grad Nation," 2010).  Currently, the EWI tracks students starting in eighth grade and provide services and supports to students at high risk for not graduating from high school; research shows the earlier the intervention, the more likely a student is to graduate, and the EWI is proven to reduce high school dropout rates. 

The bill also creates and outlines a plan for placing graduation coaches in school districts which see a five percent or higher dropout rate.  The coaches would not only provide guidance to students, but would work to engage parents and family members in the students' academic lives - an important component of academic success.  Students with involved parents, regardless of family income or background, are more likely to be academically successful and lead productive lives.

A third provision we would like to highlight is the idea of dropout outreach.  Currently, state law requires districts to connect with students who are dropping out, but there is little information about how effectively schools have implemented this mandate.  S185 lays out a clear, concise strategy to address to educate dropouts on alternative education programs along with other options to accommodate their personal circumstances.  By working with students who are dropping out to tailor learning to their circumstances while at the same time providing challenging academics, we can better equip them to graduate and become productive adults.

S185 is critical in ensuring that our most valuable resource, our children, are given the best opportunities to be successful in their academic life, and ultimately, as working adults.  By addressing the Commission's recommendations through this legislation, together we can ensure our students succeed in life.  Thank you in advance for considering our testimony; please contact me any with questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Russet Morrow
Public Policy Director
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley