Making The Seeming Impossible Possible
The figures about high school graduation rates in the United States are more than disheartening. The estimate is that approximately twenty-five percent of our nation's youth do not receive high school diplomas. it is a figure that is troubling at every level--for the students, for their families, and for the nation.
Against that background, the achievements of a high school in North Carolina are exhilarating.
Bob Herbert, a columnist for the New York Times recently reported what has happened at that school where most of the students are black, and many come from low-income families. Under a Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) the school set up a disciplined environment, including a school day that lasted from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The kids also attended classes every other Saturday and for three weeks in the summer.
It was not easy, but with a dedicated staff, the school flourished. And now out of the 48 seniors, an astounding 48 will be going on to college. A success rate of 100%! And all will be attending college in the fall.
If you would like a fuller account of this remarkable and important story, go to http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/06/opinion/06herbert.html?scp=2&sq=herbert&st=cse
