The One/Third Summit at 9 a.m. Saturday at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School will address dropout prevention for Richmond County schools students.
Community input is welcome at the meeting, which will feature a student panel of nontraditional students who dropped out of high school and breakout groups to work on a five-year strategic plan, said schools spokesman Louis Svehla.
"The purpose of the summit is to create a community action plan," said co-chairwoman Sue Parr.
The summit's funding came from a grant by America's Promise Alliance, a national group that works to improve high school graduation rates.
The summit's name reflects that about a third of Richmond County students fail to graduate. According to the Adequate Yearly Progress reports, Richmond County schools had a graduation rate of 68.4 percent in 2009. In 2008, it was 63.8 percent. According to the most recent Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book, an estimated 46 percent of Georgia teens 16-19 years old are high school dropouts.
The summit is led by Ms. Parr, the president and chief executive officer for the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Tina Marshall-Bradley, a special assistant to the provost at Paine College.
The co-chairwomen say community involvement in crafting a plan is crucial.
"The dropout rate impacts us all, and it is all of our responsibility to address it," Dr. Marshall-Bradley said.
Everyone's voice will be equal, she said, from state policy makers to faith-based groups, higher education, teachers and concerned citizens.
"An educated work force is vital to the entire community," Ms. Parr said.
They expect to have a draft of the strategic plan to present for public comment in October and finalize the plan by early November, Dr. Marshall-Bradley said.
Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.
SIGN UP
WHAT: The One/Third Summit on dropout prevention for Richmond County schools students
WHERE: John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, 615 12th St.
WHEN: 9 a.m. Saturday
REGISTER: (706) 721-7464 or augustachamber.net
TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
America's Promise Alliance has identified five things that a child needs to succeed. These conditions will be discussed at the meeting.
1. Caring Adults: An ongoing, secure relationship with caring adults.
2. Safe Places: Children need to be physically and emotionally safe.
3. Healthy Start: This includes regular check-ups and treatment, good nutrition, exercise and role models.
4. An Effective Education: The intellectual development and skills to equip children for future success.
5. Opportunities to Help Others: Children need to develop a sense of responsibility and caring, which is fostered by example.
Source: America's Promise Alliance, americaspromise.org
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