WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | High school dropout rates can affect your health

High school dropout rates can affect your health

By Erica Shaffer - bio | email

Posted by Jason Rzucidlo - email

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTOL) -- A community's high school dropout rate can affect health, economic well-being, tax revenue and crime.

Thursday community leaders and students will get together in Toledo to help control the dropout rate in northwest Ohio. It's one of just 105 events taking place across the country.

Litisha Strozier is in the process of getting her GED. That's something she says she should have done years ago.

"I haven't been in school so long that going back to get my GED was hard!" Strozier said.

Strozier dropped out as a sophomore in high school.

"It was the dumbest thing in the world," Strozier said. "I could have went to school, had my GED, went to college, been where I need to be today."

Toledo Public Schools attributes their improving graduation rate to programs they say keep children involved earlier and show them the benefits of staying in school for their future.

"We've got to make sure we do everything we can to provide that safety net so that kids feel supported," Strozier added.

Thursday the United Way and America's Promise Alliance will take efforts a step farther to help lower dropout rates.

The "Graduation Now" Summit will give community leaders a chance to come together and discuss how to keep our kids in school.

Everyone from business owners to teacher will attend.

"It's wrapping all of those supports and bringing everybody together," Strozier said. "At one point or another they all come in contact with these kids and how do we better align ourselves so that we support them and they don't slip through the cracks?"

Strozier says efforts towards decreasing the dropout rate is a step in the right direction and has advice from someone who's been through it.

"So many doors will open once they get their diploma and go on with their lives," Strozier explains. "Just stay in school. There is nothing out there--no reason to dropout."

Braylock agrees with Smith and says improving dropout rates is an investment in our economic future.

"It's not just what they are taking away from the community, but what they are not giving back ... because they graduate from high school," Braylock said.

Thursday's summit will be at the Dana Center on the University of Toledo Health Science campus. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.

These summits are happening nationwide.

The events are coordinated by "America's Promise Alliance," which is a Washington-based group started by former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

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