WMHT American Graduate Town Hall Five-Minute Summary
An overview of the key issues and discussions that defined the focus and content of the one-hour WMHT American Graduate Town Hall broadcast is presented.
Highlighted Topics and Key Discussions from the WMHT American Graduate Town Hall
Examining the Problem:
The Dropout Crisis
Context and data are provided to define the framework of the high school dropout crisis in the Capital Region of New York State.
Students on Dropping Out
Local students discuss the challenges they and their peers face on the path to high school graduation.
Urban, Suburban, and Rural Schools
The causes and reasons behind the regional and demographic differences between high school graduation rates are explored.
Early Education
The importance of quality pre-kindergarten and early learning programs and the development of proficient reading skills by the end of Third Grade are discussed as critical foundations to supporting academic success and on-time graduation from high school.
The School-to-Prison Pipeline
The causes and impact of the school-to-prison pipeline are explored in relationship to the issues identified as precipitating factors within the dropout crisis.
Poverty in Schools
The impact of living in poverty on academic and school success is discussed.
High Stakes Testing
The role of high-stakes standardized testing and its relationship to student success is discussed.
Looking Toward Solutions:
School Design and Student Success
Examples of innovative school models and programs from around the Capital Region are highlighted.
What can you do?
Why Should You Care?
The range of impact the high school dropout crisis has on the entire community is discussed.
Individual Excerpted Comments from the WMHT Town Hall Discussion
Barry Walston, MSW
WMHT American Graduate Panelist, Barry Walston, MSW, talks about the value of adult role models and high expectations as factors that support student success.
Luz Marquez-Benbow
Luz Marquez-Benbow, Parent and Community Advocate, discusses the challenges faced by students and families whose first language is other than English.
John Harrison
John Harrison, Home School Coordinator at Albany High School, discusses the importance of adult volunteerism, mentoring, and the value gained for students when they make meaningful connections to an adults.
