“Eliminating high school dropouts creates growth: 45k new grads likely yields $536million/year more state & local tax revenue.”
– Michael Wotorson, Executive Director, Campaign for High School Equity…

About the Crisis:

• Every year, approximately 1.2 million students-That’s 7000 per school day Do NOT graduate from high school on time. Nationwide, only about 70 percent of students earn their high school diplomas.
• Among minority students, only 57.8 percent of Hispanic, 53.4 percent of African American, graduate with a regular diploma, compared to 76.2 percent of white students…
• Approximately 70 percent of all entering ninth-grade students read below grade level… many of these students will struggle to graduate with their classmates.
• Of those students, who do earn their diplomas, many-both white and minority-will lack the skills they need to be successful in college or the modern workforce.
• The single most important factor in determining student performance is often the quality of his or her teachers. However, far too many school districts are facing an uphill battle when it comes to recruiting and retaining highly effective teachers, especially those who serve poor students.
• Almost 2,000 high schools across the country graduate less than 60 percent of their students. These high schools or “dropout factories” as they are known, account for over half of the dropouts who leave American schools every year.
• One in three minority students (32 percent) attend a dropout factory, compared to only 8 percent of white students.
• High school dropouts face long odds of landing a good-paying job in the ultra-competitive job market of the twenty-first century.
• In addition, they are generally less healthy, die earlier, more likely to become parents when very young, more at risk of tangling with the criminal justice system, and are more likely to need social welfare assistance.
• And the negative consequences to dropping out of high school don’t stop there. Dropouts earn less than graduates, with major repercussions for the American economy.
• In fact, the Alliance for Excellent Education has estimated that the approximately 1.2 million students who should have graduated with the Class of 2008 will cost the nation nearly $319 billion in lost income over the course of their lifetimes.

SOURCE: 1201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 901 | Washington, DC 20036 | Phone: 202 828 0828 | Fax: 202 828 0821 © Alliance for Excellent Education

Title: If You Really Want to Live, Be Extraordinary!
Authors: Jo Lena Johnson & Dr. Lee Roy Jefferson
Publisher: Mission Possible Press, a division of Absolute Good Training
ISBN: 978-0-98275290-0-5
Retail Price: $24.95

In preparation for this Blog, I asked a few male & female friends this question:

What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in dealing with relationships – intimate ones?
I found some of their answers interesting. I also noticed a trend – the nature of the answers tended to vary by gender.
You may wonder why it matters… If we recognize that men and women tend to “see” things differently, we can begin to question our own perspectives, motives, intentions and habits. At times, it’s easy to be so self-focused, we forget about the other persons needs, desires and feelings.
If, at the very moment of conflict – that moment that could make or break the relationship, you take a few seconds to

1. Breathe and focus on What You Really Want (harmony? love? understanding? kindness? great communication? friendship? partnership? peace of mind?)
2. Then Choose to Practice acting in a way that the other person “gets it” (lovingly, compassionately, empathetically, actually listening to what they are expressing).
3. Show that you care (even when you are mad, hurt, disappointed or even fed up) through your body language, tone of voice, and the words you choose.

You – and your partner may get whatever it is that you REALLY want. Willingness is is the Key!

As you review the question (again), and my friends’ answeres, please ask yourself these questions:

a. Do you think a man or woman gave the answer and why?
b. Can you relate to the answer? why or why not?
c. What are 2 things you could actually do or say that would immediately improve your communication? (hint: body language, tone of voice, words you choose)

What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in dealing with relationships – intimate ones?

A: Nothing really – I ended up marrying the love of my life. The biggest challenge is to make sure we always think of each other first (selfishness can eat away at a relationship)…

A: Not being able to hang out anymore!
They don’t understand that we like hanging out, just to be hanging out.

A: Not being able to balance more children with my existing career.

A: Learning to express my true and intimate feelings.

A. In the past, to not be so turned on by beauty and looks. Now, it is continuing to make quality time to maintain a high level of oneness.

What do you think? Are you willing? Please share your feedback with me!

And Remember – It’s Your Choice!