Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Governor Culver Hosts ‘destination Graduation’ Conference
Dropout Summit to address dropout rates for Iowa students
(Des Moines)- Governor Chet Culver will deliver opening remarks at Destination Graduation, Iowa’s Dropout Prevention Leadership Summit. Iowa’s Promise and the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development are partnering to address the issue of high school drop outs and how to increase graduation rates.
The goal of the summit is to help Iowa communities develop strategies and action plans that will increase the graduation rate for minority students. Governor Chet Culver will join the stage with Senator Harris Wofford to welcome Iowa community and school district attendees. Senator Tom Harkin has also prepared a special video message for the Summit. Karen Pittman, the Executive Director of the Forum for Youth Investment will lead the afternoon discussion as fifteen select communities begin the development of an action plan to reduce the dropout rate of minority students in their communities. Pittman is a national expert in the area of youth development. She is currently providing technical assistance to the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development to improve quality of youth programming in Iowa, through the Ready by 21 Quality Counts initiative.
Governor Culver said, “As a former teacher, I know first hand how critical it is that Iowa students stay in school and earn their high school diplomas. The workforce is changing, and we need educated young men and women with the skills to obtain high paying, quality jobs. This can only happen if kids graduate and go to college.” Governor Culver added, “This summit is so important because it not only addresses why students are dropping out, but how we can reverse the trend and increase graduation rates.”
America’s Promise Dropout Prevention campaign aims to reduce the nation’s high school dropout rates by hosting Dropout Prevention summits in all 50 states and 50 select communities over the next two years. Iowa is one of the first in the nation to host a dropout prevention summit. This summit requests the entire community to address the issue of graduation and success in school. Each school district was asked to form a team of 10-15 individuals who represent diverse organizations and leadership. Faith-based, community-based organizations, school administration, youth representatives and higher-education partners will convene to learn and build plans expected to enhance opportunities for minority youth in each community.
State Farm Insurance, a business partner, is offering support to districts that participate in the summit. Representatives from fifteen school districts and communities from across the state of Iowa are expected to attend the summit.
| What: | Governor Culver will attend and deliver opening remarks at Destination Graduation: Iowa’s Dropout Prevention Leadership Summit |
| Where: | Polk County Convention Complex, Lower level 501 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA |
| When: | Wednesday, May 7, 2008 10:00 a.m. |