Media

It's encouraging news that fewer students, only 3.43 percent, dropped out of North Carolina public schools in 2010-2011, the lowest dropout rate ever reported by the State Board of Education. Still, 15,342 high school students - an average of 83 students per day - dropped out of school last year. Every time this happens, the door to another bright future shuts. Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC) and its 38 affiliates across the state work to surround students with the support and encouragement they need to stay in school and succeed. Reducing the dropout rate is our first priority, and we are so fortunate CISNC continues to provide thousands of students with much-needed tutoring and mentoring to help them learn and stay in school. North Carolina cannot take the focus off of K-12 education, especially as it pertains to our youth who drop out in the greatest numbers. The state's investment in proven, cost-effective program like Communities In Schools is crucial toward this end. It is imperative that we keep this positive momentum going so all students can graduate and succeed in college, career and life. --June Atkinson, State Superintendent, N.C. Department of Public Instruction; Member, Communities In Schools of N.C. Board of Directors, Raleigh

It's encouraging news to learn that high school graduation rates have improved in 2011, increasing to 77.7 percent, the highest four-year graduation rate ever reported by the State Board of Education. Equally encouraging is the fact that North Carolina today ranks 29th in the nation for the number of teens ages 16 to 19 who are not in school and not high school graduates when, just five years ago, we ranked 37th. Communities In Schools of North Carolina and its affiliates across the state work to surround students with the support and encouragement they need to stay in school and succeed. As a state, we should consider ourselves very fortunate that CISNC continues to provide thousands of students with much-needed tutoring and mentoring to help them learn and stay in school. Thanks to the dedication of Communities In Schools staff, local programs and volunteers, efforts to increase the number of children who graduate on time are not made in vain. It is imperative that we keep this positive momentum going so all students can graduate and find success in college, career and life. --John Idler, President and General Manager, ABC 11 WTVD; Chairman, Communities In Schools of North Carolina Board of Directors, Raleigh