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Jun 15, 2010 - 10:10:41 AM

To better prepare Kansas students for their future and strengthen the economy, Governor Mark Parkinson has established the Kansas Commission on Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery.

“In today’s ever-changing economy, one thing that remains constant is the benefit of possessing a high school diploma,” said Parkinson. “Young people who graduate from school are less likely to be unemployed, require government assistance and be involved in criminal activity. If we are truly to come out of this economic recession, we must guide our young Kansans through their education providing them, and our state, greater opportunities for the future.”

Over the past ten years, approximately 38,700 Kansas students have dropped out of school resulting in $10 billion in lost earnings, taxes and productivity. This has also resulted in $479 million in Medicaid and uninsured health care costs. Young people fail to graduate for a wide variety of reasons, including a lack of connection to the school environment, chronic absenteeism, lack of parental involvement, and other reasons such as engagement in illegal activities.

Current programs and organizations, like the Kansas DropINs and Kansas Mentors programs, have recognized these factors and are committed to ensuring all young Kansans achieve a bright future. The Kansas Commission on Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery aims to bring a comprehensive solution to the issue through a collaboration of businesses, schools, community organizations, parents, state agencies and youth.

The newly created commission will examine and make recommendations to set a goal and timeline for reducing the statewide annual dropout rate. It will also further develop early indicator systems to identify students who are at risk of dropping out, or who are not likely to graduate on time from high school without receiving additional support, and school policies that exacerbate dropping out.

Governor Parkinson created the Kansas Commission on Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery through Executive Order 10-04. To view the full executive order, please click here.


Source: Executive Order 10-04 and Press Statement, Office of the Governor