The Problem
A study prepared for The Associated Press by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found 22 of 290 Virginia high schools, or 7.6 percent, held on to 60 percent or less of their students from freshman to senior year over three years (2004 to 2006). This rate puts those high schools in a category one researcher calls "dropout factories.'' Nationally, about 12 percent of regular and vocational high schools are considered "dropout factories." The Hampton Roads schools:
Norfolk
B.T. Washington High
Granby High School
Lake Taylor High
Norfolk Maury High
Norview High
Portsmouth
I.C. Norcom High
Woodrow Wilson High
Lakeland High
Suffolk
Bayside High
Virginia Beach
Green Run High
Local school officials debate the numbers but regardless of specifics, we are in crisis. Our teachers and school administrators need our help and they need it now. With no fathers in the lives of many of these children and studies show this is a major factor in the instability of a family. Do we just stand by, ignore the numbers and watch them grow? With almost a million black men in jail now, how many can we expect on lock down in 10 years? No one knows for sure but if you think this number will decrease, you are wrong. Our kids deserve better from us. They deserve better from the millions of black men who are hard working, law abiding citizens of the greatest country on earth.
When conducting a search on Black Pages, over 300 businesses are listed in Hampton Roads (Black Pages). Behind these 300 businesses are 300 success stories that when told, can only inspire listeners to excel. We are not requesting monetary donations. All we want is a little of your time to help our children. These kids need role models, not rappers and sports stars, guiding them at this critical phase of development. Join with us and we can correct this problem and give all Americans a chance to truly enjoy the privilege of being born in the greatest country on earth.
Norfolk
B.T. Washington High
Granby High School
Lake Taylor High
Norfolk Maury High
Norview High
Portsmouth
I.C. Norcom High
Woodrow Wilson High
Lakeland High
Suffolk
Bayside High
Virginia Beach
Green Run High
Local school officials debate the numbers but regardless of specifics, we are in crisis. Our teachers and school administrators need our help and they need it now. With no fathers in the lives of many of these children and studies show this is a major factor in the instability of a family. Do we just stand by, ignore the numbers and watch them grow? With almost a million black men in jail now, how many can we expect on lock down in 10 years? No one knows for sure but if you think this number will decrease, you are wrong. Our kids deserve better from us. They deserve better from the millions of black men who are hard working, law abiding citizens of the greatest country on earth.
When conducting a search on Black Pages, over 300 businesses are listed in Hampton Roads (Black Pages). Behind these 300 businesses are 300 success stories that when told, can only inspire listeners to excel. We are not requesting monetary donations. All we want is a little of your time to help our children. These kids need role models, not rappers and sports stars, guiding them at this critical phase of development. Join with us and we can correct this problem and give all Americans a chance to truly enjoy the privilege of being born in the greatest country on earth.
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WBFF FOX Baltimore - (WBFF) Nov. 29, 2007. 10:17 PM EST City organization provides career training and GED classes for at risk youth. |
