News & Events
Top CEOs Gather to Tackle Dropout Crisis
The Summit provided a rare opportunity for top executives and their business teams to join with community partners and education officials to discuss and strategize the critical role their companies can play in reducing the dropout rate. Founded by General & Mrs. Colin Powell, America’s Promise Alliance raises awareness of this education crisis and mobilizes communities nationwide to tackle dropout prevention and improve local graduation rates. Jacksonville was selected by the America’s Promise Alliance as one of the 50 major communities nationwide to conduct a local Summit.
National expert Bob Wise, former West Virginia governor and President of Alliance for Excellent Education, addressed the economic impact on Northeast Florida of the dropout crisis. He shared with participants that reducing the number of dropouts by 50 percent would result in tremendous economic benefits to the region, including an increase in income and wages, local and state tax revenue, and human capital through post-secondary education. Reports show high school dropouts during the 2008 year represent a $1.2 billion loss to Northeast Florida’s economy over the course of their lifetime. Research shows that students who don’t graduate on time are more likely to be unemployed, require expensive social services, or become incarcerated – costing taxpayers unnecessarily. According to Georgetown University Center on Education, by 2018, 30 million new and replacement jobs will require some college or higher post-secondary education. Governor Wise also shared that only 16 percent of Jacksonville graduates are earning a two or four-year degree.  As community stewards, CEOs share a vested interest in helping ensure that more students graduate on time and go on to post-secondary education or the workplace. Without a literate workforce, Jacksonville and its surrounding counties will not attract new businesses and develop a stronger tax base.
According to Wise, reducing the number of dropouts by half would increase state and local tax revenue by up to $536 million during the average year. New graduates would likely purchase homes totaling $10.5 billion - more than what they otherwise would have spent without a diploma. Additionally, they would likely spend an additional $340 million on vehicle purchases each year. “Stakeholders must continue to work around a common agenda for ensuring college and work-readiness for all students,” added Governor Wise. “The best economic stimulus package is a high school diploma.” Jacksonville’s Summit was sponsored by State Farm locally in support of the corporation’s national involvement with America’s Promise Alliance work. In addition, the Learning to Finish collaborative, a local partnership, focused on improving the college-and-career ready graduation rate of Duval County students, helped organize the event. Lead partners include: The Community Foundation in Jacksonville, Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville Children’s Commission, Jacksonville Public Education Fund, and United Way of Northeast Florida, as well as more than 20 other community organizations. As a lead partner in the effort to increase the graduation rate, Duval County School Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals emphasized how the support of community partners, such as top corporations, is critical to ensuring students graduate ready to enter the workforce. “We appreciate United Way and America’s Promise Alliance teaming up to mobilize Jacksonville leaders to formulate long-term solutions to dramatically increase our number of students who graduate prepared for post secondary education and work,” said Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. “This summit focused on the positive actions with significant results taking place in the district, as well as opportunities for further engagement with the community to improve results faster.” During the workshop, local students shared testimonials of personal challenges they faced in high school and the supports they received to help them stay on track for graduation. The insights they shared resonated with the business leaders in attendance, particularly how specific individuals – a teacher, a mentor, a coach - made a difference in their lives. “United Way is proud to be a lead partner in bringing business leaders together to address the dropout crisis in our community,” added Connie Hodges, President, United Way of Northeast Florida. “The success of our students will determine our community’s future and we’re thankful for the support from some of our region’s top companies to help struggling students stay on track to graduate and lead productive lives as adults.” Before concluding the Summit, CEOs and their teams formulated action plans on how their companies could assist schools and students through an array of involvement opportunities, including mentoring, tutoring, sponsorships, advocacy, and parent engagement. More than one-third of participants signed commitment forms, pledging their support to play an active role in helping Duval County students. |
