Across the U.S., approximately 70 percent of high school students graduate on time with a regular diploma each year, while 1.2 million drop out. So claims a report issued by America’s Promise Alliance as cited by Ken Thomas in the Associated Press.

 The news headline reads: “Graduation Rates a 'Catastrophe' in Cities” and indicates that among larger cities, 34.1 percent of Cleveland Municipal City School District students received their diplomas. The report also says that half the students enrolled in our 50 largest cities’ public schools receive high school diplomas. However, students enrolled in suburban and rural schools fared better.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, founding chair of the America’s Promise Alliance, responded: “When more than 1 million students a year drop out of high school, it’s more than a problem, it’s a catastrophe.” His wife Alma Powell, Alliance chair, believes that educators must “invest in the whole child, and that means finding solutions that involve the family, the school and the community.” America’s Promise Alliance is starting a campaign to reduce high school dropout rates.  Joined by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings at a news conference on April 1, the Alliance announced plans to sponsor summits in each state for the next two years to better prepare students for college and career.

Almost 83 percent of Ohio’s public high school students in Columbus suburbs graduate as compared to 78.1 percent in suburban Cleveland. These numbers represent an increase since 2005-2006, when just 72.9 percent students received diplomas; Cleveland’s rates appear to be climbing. Improvement is attributed to after-school and weekend tutoring, along with elementary-level literacy programs. The report’s research was provided by Editorial Projects in Education, a non-profit Maryland group supported by the Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Alliance combines efforts of charities, community leaders, corporations, faith based organizations, and non-profit groups who want to improve life for children in the U.S.

So what can parents do to enhance their child’s chances of graduating high school on time?

Follow your student’s progress. Make sure he stays current with homework and class assignments. Consider offering incentives for finishing homework promptly and earning average or higher grades. Meet with the teacher quarterly, if possible, to discuss your child’s grades, struggles, and successes. 

Address weaknesses early. If your daughter is struggling to reach her grade’s reading level, take corrective action. Spend time helping her after school or on weekends. If the problem with a school subject is serious, hire a tutor for professional assistance. The teacher or school counselor can provide guidance for remedial help; the school may offer after-school tutoring or teacher availability during study halls or lunch breaks.

Emphasize the value of education to your kids. Mention how your education helped you get through college or develop life skills. Show appreciation for what your children are learning by asking about their day at school or test scores, and praising them when they do well. Don’t be overly critical when they struggle or fail; all of us have areas of strength or weakness. Encourage them to view a low score as a challenge and opportunity for improvement.

Small steps like these can guide a student toward success. Moreover, that student may become a role model to inspire others. With a little effort from all of us, high school graduation rates nation-wide can improve.