PRESS RELEASE -- June 12, 2007
Contact: Shannon Murphy
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Statement from Roy Romer on New Report Finding that 1.2 Million Students Will Dropout This Year
Washington, D.C. – On the heels of a new national report which reveals more than 1.2 million students will not graduate this year and that America’s schools are failing students by not preparing them for work and life, Strong American Schools Campaign Chairman Roy Romer today issued the following statement, urging presidential candidates to talk about how to solve America’s K-12 education crisis.
“Our nation is asleep at the switch. At a time when more than half the jobs in this country require education beyond high school, only 70 percent of our kids are even graduating from high school and many lack adequate skills to get additional training or education to help them succeed. To make matters worse, unless there is a dramatic shift, more than 12 million students will drop out over the next decade, resulting in a $3 trillion blow to our nation’s economy. Many decisions about education are local, but taken as a whole these figures represent a national crisis that requires attention from our nation’s leaders.
“I urge the presidential candidates to offer bold ideas for addressing America’s education crisis. How will they raise academic standards so every student learns basic skills in math and reading? How will they ensure that all students get a great teacher who can help them reach their highest potential? How will they provide enough time and support for students to learn the skills they need to succeed in college, jobs, and life? The Education Week report released today offers yet another opportunity to begin this crucial dialogue.”
Strong American Schools, a project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, is an unprecedented up to $60 million non partisan movement, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations and The Eli and Edythe Broad foundation, which calls on all presidential candidates to improve America’s public schools.
To join Strong American Schools’ “ED in 08” campaign and for more information about “ED in 08” events and a list of the N.H. advisory board members, log onto: edin08.com.
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