Colorado is getting a $15 million federal grant over five years to help stop students from dropping out.
The money will go to 32 schools throughout the state that have higher than average dropout rates, funding that will be used for intensive supports.
Another 22 schools will receive support from the grant with access to local and statewide training, technical assistance in data analysis and a toolkit designed to build knowledge of best practices in dropout prevention and student recovery.
“We are extremely pleased to be supported by the U.S. Department of Education on this important work,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight Jones in a statement.
Colorado’s dropout rate for the 2008-09 school year was 3.6 percent — an improvement over the past two years.
The 32 schools receiving support under the grant served 11 percent of all students in grades seven through 12 in Colorado’s public schools in the 2008-09 school year but generated nearly 28 percent of the state’s dropouts during that time. The aggregated dropout rate for the schools was 8.9 percent.
Metro-area high schools getting help through the grant include Adams City, Aurora Central High, Gateway, Hidden Lake, Hinkley, Jefferson, John F. Kennedy, Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts, Northglenn, Overland, Rangeview, Thornton, and West in Denver.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
