New Book Offers a Proven Solution to End the Dropout Crisis in America, Endorsed by President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter
The Last Dropout: Stop the Epidemic! is Communities In Schools Founder Bill Milliken’s Prescription for Helping Students Graduate Prepared for Life
Alexandria, VA - Communities In Schools, Inc., the nation's largest dropout prevention organization, is pleased to announce the release of The Last Dropout: Stop the Epidemic!, the latest book by CIS founder and longtime youth advocate Bill Milliken. One in three children fail to graduate, and The Last Dropout explains how an entire community can come together to reverse a crisis that will have a lasting impact on the future of the country.
"Children dropping out in record numbers is one of the greatest justice issues of our time. But when communities come together and employ the nine principles contained in The Last Dropout, a blueprint for change is created that helps young people stay in school and graduate prepared for life," said Milliken.
Published by Hay House, The Last Dropout offers nine key principles that have been the cornerstone of CIS’s work over the past 30 years. Filled with practical insights, it also contains stories about how CIS leaders have successfully incorporated these principles in over 200 communities across the nation. These principles are:
• Programs don't change kids – relationships do.
• The dropout crisis isn’t just an education issue.
• Young people need the five real basics, not just the three R'’s: a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult; a safe place to learn and grow; a healthy start and a healthy future; a marketable skill to use upon graduation; and a chance to give back to peers and the community.
• The community must weave a safety net around its children in a manner that’s personal, accountable, and coordinated.
• Every community needs a "Champion for Children": a neutral third party with “magic eyes” to see things - and people - differently, and coordinate and broker the diverse community resources into the schools on behalf of young people and families.
• Educators and policy makers can’t do it alone...and they’ll welcome your help.
• Curing the dropout epidemic will demand change, not just charity.
• Scalability, sustainability, and evidence-based strategies are essential to creating permanent change in the way our education system combats the dropout epidemic.
• Our children need three things from you: your awareness, your advocacy, and your action.
Containing a foreword by President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, The Last Dropout has been praised by more than 20 notable leaders, including a former U.S. president, education leaders, corporate CEO's, faith based, and prominent figures in the sports and entertainment industries. For more information visit www.TheLastDropout.org.
The Last Dropout is available now at retail outlets and online at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.costco.com, www.borders.com, www.olssons.com, and www.bamm.com. All author proceeds from the book are being donated to Communities In Schools.
Bill Milliken has been a tireless advocate for disenfranchised youth and one of the foremost pioneers in the movement to connect schools and community resources. He has written two other books: So Long, Sweet Jesus and Tough Love.
Communities In Schools is the nation's largest dropout prevention organization, working in more than 3,200 K-12 public schools. Founded in 1977, Communities In Schools is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Today, nearly one million young people every year receive direct services through more than 200 Communities In Schools local affiliates in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Between 80-90 percent of our tracked students show improvement in academic achievement, attendance, behavior and promotion to the next grade level.
Contact: Debbie Veney Robinson, CIS National Office, 703-518-2545, RobinsonD@CISNet.org