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process. Since then, I have been a strong advocate for bringing
CIS to the New River Valley as a regional program.
A high dropout rate is one of the most persistent social ills
with which our society must deal. According to a June report by
the Alliance for Excellent Education, if Virginia were to reduce
the dropouts from 2010 by half (16,200), they would likely add
$207 million in increased earnings, $19 million in tax revenue and
$150 million in home sales. Failure to tackle this issue effectively
means our public education system will be mired in a cycle of
underperformance for the indefinite future. These statistics
speak only to the cumulative impact of dropping out; the costs to
individuals are staggering as well.
As Superintendent of Pulaski County Public Schools, I am
excited about the possibility of bringing Communities In Schools
of Virginia to our region for many reasons—one of which is pure
economics. According to that same June report by the Alliance
for Excellent Education on the effects of reducing the class of
2008 dropouts by 50%, after earning a high school diploma, fifty-
two (52) percent of these new graduates would likely continue
on to pursue some type of postsecondary education. An educated
population is a large driver of economic development.
Scientific research showed that the Communities In Schools’
model works. It both reduces dropout rates and increases on-time
graduation rates. Through the CIS data based approach, they can
guarantee accountability in every aspect of this program. CIS will
track and report on their effectiveness with a set of metrics for
measuring success. Thus, CIS is not offering an experiment, or
“a wing and a prayer,” but rather a proven, nationally tested and
replicable program. Communities In Schools is a cost-effective
and accountable program with a 40-year track record addressing a
problem that is a drain on our economy.
CIS can provide support that will aid in full and complete
employment of our young work force. Furthermore, accreditation
ratings for 2011-2012 are the first to include a Graduation and
Completion Index (GCI) for high schools. This new accountability
measure was approved by the Board of Education in 2009.
Pulaski County Public Schools could benefit from a research-
based program with the longevity and success achieved by CIS to
provide the tools needed to increase graduation rates. Therefore,
I enthusiastically support the Governor’s continued funding
of Communities in Schools, and the CIS
approach to dropout prevention. Furthermore,
the Pulaski County School Board has
authorized me to form a task force to study
the feasibility of bringing Communities in
Schools to the New River Valley and Pulaski
County Public Schools.
For additional information about
Thomas Brewster is the superintendent
of Pulaski County schools.
The Governor’s Biennial Budget for
2012-14 funds Communities In Schools
(CIS) for $525,000 for each year of
the budget. These funds are currently
being used to expand CIS programming
throughout the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
Communities In Schools is a 40-year-
old, nationwide organization dedicated
to two things—preventing children from
dropping out of school and helping them
graduate. A statewide public-private
501(c)(3) organization, CIS identifies at-risk students in low
performing schools. These at-risk students are then surrounded
with coordinated community support services so that they stay in
school, graduate and obtain meaningful post-secondary training,
education, or work. Throughout CIS’s forty-year journey, they
have learned that students who do not get these services tend to
drop out; those who do get them tend to stay in school. So, to use
a business term, Communities In Schools is a “leverage point” to
enable access to resources by those who need them most, and at a
delivery point where we know they can be accessed effectively—
in school.
Having served 15,025 students in nearly 40 schools last year
at a cost of $154 per student, CIS has been asked to replicate their
successful program in other areas of Virginia. Currently sites are
being established in several new areas of the Commonwealth.
The requested funding dollars have been used to develop
Communities In Schools model programs in the target areas;
provide technical assistance to assure adherence to national total
quality standards; develop a community base of support; and,
develop a board of directors and other local leadership.
Several years ago, I toured a Communities In School (CIS) site
in Richmond, Virginia. Throughout my tour, I was amazed at the
amount of support given to students, and the unique partnerships
that were developed to assist students with reaching the goal of
graduating from high school. Most of all, I was impressed that
decisions within the program were data driven, and the approach
used to educate these students was a proven research-based
FutureLaw
, L.L.C.
John G. “Chip” Dicks
Martin K. Johnson
Sarah D. Dicks
Timothy S. Reiniger
Roger G. Bowers
1802 Bayberry Court
•
Suite 403
•
Richmond, Virginia 23226
Phone:
804-836-1980
•
888-252-6299
•
Fax:
804-225-5508
Website:
•
E-mail:
Communities in Schools:
AWorthwhile Investment for the
New River Valley and Pulaski County
By Thomas Brewster
V
