Volunteers went extra mile to reduce drop-out problem

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On Sept. 19, a community came together for "A Diploma in Every Hand" walk. This dedicated and caring group of volunteers stopped talking and started taking action. They went beyond the proverbial — well we should, could or ought to do something. They made it happen!

Volunteers made an impact one student at a time, empowering families with a sincere and profound sense of duty. The volunteers demonstrated the message — that we are in this together and it will take a village (community) to raise all of our children.

These volunteers could have easily come up with excuses for why they could not participate in the walk, such as oh, "those are some tough neighborhoods" or "there are gangs and drugs there," but excuses were not in the vocabulary! Instead, you heard comments like, "can we do this again?" and "I can go to more homes next time." They were steadfast in their determination to see it through!

From left, Larry Hayes, 58, Henry Dill, 58, and Carole Collins, 59, plan a route for "A Diploma in Every Hand" program. Teams of community volunteers walked Modesto neighborhoods on Saturday, going to the homes of students who have either had prior attendance issues or have dropped out of school. Volunteers delivered a bag containing printouts about resources and support services offered by the county that emphasize the importance of a quality education and a successful family environment. September 19, 2009. (BRIAN RAMSAY/bramsay@modbee.com)

As this effort showed, the dropout crisis has to be everybody's business. The Modesto City Schools partnered with the city of Modesto, businesses, community and faith-based organizations to pull this effort off, which made it a huge success.

Compared to high school graduates, research shows, dropouts have: higher rates of unemployment, lower earnings, poorer health, higher rates of mortality, higher rates of criminal behavior, higher rates of incarceration and increased dependence on public assistance.

According to the California Dropout Research Project, in 2006-07 there were 981 students grades 7-12 who dropped out in Modesto. The lifetime economic losses for the city from one year's dropouts would be $168,177,735. This figure includes, $2,226,870 in health care costs, earnings (net of all taxes), crime (victim costs) and other losses.

By reducing dropouts by half, Modesto would capitalize on a lifetime economic benefit of $84,088,868, which would include an annual reduction of 113 homicides and aggravated assaults. This would translate into a much safer and economically productive and vibrant community.

Our community should be extremely proud that we are starting to chart a course for proactive solutions rather than reactionary talk and inaction.

JOHN ERVIN
community affairs director,
Modesto City Schools
Modesto