L.A. Unified Kicks off Innovative Way to Fight High School Dropout Rate
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Debra Lau Whelan -- School Library Journal, 10/16/2007
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has devised a creative way to help at-risk students and dropouts—it’s using YouTube, MySpace, text messaging, and radio stations to get its word out.
The program, “My Future, My Decision,” also has a Web component that offers teens and their parents information and resources on how to obtain a high school diploma. And it serves up important facts: every 29 seconds, a student gives up on school; high school dropouts are four times more likely than college graduates to be unemployed; and they’re also much more likely to be living in poverty, receiving public assistance, in prison, on death row, unhealthy, divorced, or single parents with children.
“We have a dropout crisis in LAUSD, and we must act boldly and aggressively to offer our students every opportunity to succeed,” says School Board President Monica Garcia.
The program’s social networking features, however, are what make it special. They offer students direct peer-to-peer interaction on MySpace, where they can build a network and engage in dialogue with other kids who have already dropped out of school or are considering it. Student testimonials will also be posted on the video-sharing site, YouTube.
Text messaging is another way the program reaches teens. Students who send a text with the word “FUTURE” to 30364 will receive instant information about the value of a diploma and how to learn more at the campaign Web site. And top local radio stations Power 106 and V100 are promoting the campaign, which will feature paid advertising and Web site promotions that are delivered by popular DJs.
Another element of the dropout program includes a new parent-student resource guidebook that outlines the many options available to help students earn their diplomas, including continuation and adult schools, skill center programs, independent study, and online credit recovery programs.
