General Steps Up the War Against High School Dropouts

Grad Nation, Great Nation

Mar 01, 2010
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Submitted by: Ginny Deerin

General Colin Powell knows how to fight and win, so when he announces a new campaign to mobilize Americans to end the high school dropout crisis, it's great news for those of us in the field. 

Called Grad Nation, and endorsed by President Obama's administration as a top priority, the campaign calls for 90% of today's fourth-graders to graduate on time from high school. WINGS agrees - it's the long-term outcome we seek. The graduation rate for WINGS kids is now 78%, according to preliminary findings. 

Issuing a call to arms, Gen. Powell asks: "What will you do? How can you help? The choice is simple. if we are to remain a great nation, we must be a Grad Nation!" 

Learn more about how social and emotional skills development keeps kids in school

Not too far off...

On April 8th, 2010 Nicole Lovecchio says:

I have worked for WINGS for the past 7 years and it is hard for me to believe how some of the kids that were in WINGS my first year are already in their freshman year of college!  It sounds cliche, but time really does fly by and before I know it, the kindergarteners at my school today will be going to highschool and looking forward to graduation.  I work hard everyday to give our kids the skills they will need throughout their school years.  I wish that each and every one of my WINGS kids  graduate from high school, and I hope that with Grad Nation they are able to accomplish this!  Getting 90% of the current 4th graders to graduate on time from high school would be a great accomplishment and one that I want to see reached!