City of Philadelphia - File #: 190812

• File #: 190812
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 10/17/2019
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 10/17/2019
• Title: Celebrating October as "National High School Dropout Prevention Month" and Recognizing the Launch of Project U-Turn's Social Media Campaign.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Parker, Councilmember Domb, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Henon, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Taubenberger, Councilmember Oh, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Bass

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
10/17/2019	0	CITY COUNCIL
10/17/2019	0	CITY COUNCIL

Title
Celebrating October as "National High School Dropout Prevention Month" and Recognizing the Launch of Project U-Turn's Social Media Campaign.
Body
WHEREAS, The goal of National High School Dropout Prevention Month is to encourage disconnected youth to earn their diploma and to spread awareness of the importance of education; and

WHEREAS, The United States Census Bureau found that in 2017, 25 percent of Philadelphia residents lived below the poverty line. Abundant research proves that education and receipt of a high school diploma is directly connected to lifetime earning potential. According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, high school graduates nationally earn $8,000 more annually compared to their counterparts who disconnected from school. Preventing students from dropping out of high school and encouraging disconnected youth to go back to school contributes to the larger fight against poverty; and

WHEREAS, In the past, Philadelphia school and City leaders have introduced and expanded accelerated high school and workforce-development programs, evening classes, and re-engagement centers to combat a high school dropout crisis in the City. The fight to lower high school dropout rates by Philadelphia schools and city leaders has spanned decades; and

WHEREAS, Project U-Turn is devoted to decreasing the number of students who are disconnected from high school and increasing re-engagement among young people. Since its launch in 2006, Project U-Turn has experienced tremendous success; it has provided more than 34,500 re-engagement opportunities and has leveraged more than $314 million from public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, Project U-Turn offers numerous programs and opportunities, including the Early Scholars Program, Accelerated High Schools, Gateway to College, Educational Options Program, the Post-Secondary Bridging Program, and ACE + Pilot Program for Accelerated High School students. Participating students in these programs are provided ...