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Oct 30, 2007 6:30 pm US/Eastern
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Public High Schools Attempt To Shake 'Dropout' Tag
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
"Dropout factory" is a nickname no principal or teacher could be proud of. But a large number of Philadelphia public high schools are included in a national study of schools where no more than 60 percent of freshmen graduate.
A new poll by Johns Hopkins University indicates that 47 high schools in Pennsylvania have high dropout rates. The study said that more than half of the schools are located in Philadelphia.
A group called "Project U-Turn" hopes to turn the concerning dropout statistics around and is working with the Philadelphia School District and specialty schools who want to help individuals return to school.
Christian DeJesus, Marcus Delgado, and Milissa Caballero are all former dropouts from Philadelphia area high schools, who are turning their lives around.
All three are getting a second chance at an education at the Fairhill Community High School in North Philadelphia.
The trio believes the environment and other factors at their previous schools lead to them dropping out of school.
The Johns Hopkins study also found that having a child before or during high school dramatically increased the chances that female students would dropout.
Milissa got pregnant at the age of 16, but is using her child as an inspiration and wants to go to college.
Fairhill's principal said the school has 225 students and twice that amount on a waiting list for the two and a half year program.
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