[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9878-S9879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SMITH of Oregon:
  S. 1470. A bill to establish a demonstration program for school 
dropout prevention; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the 
Dropout Reduction Outreach Program Act of 2001 known as DROP. I have 
been deeply concerned about the high number of students dropping out of 
school in Oregon and around the country. We all know that for children 
at risk, having a relationship with a caring adult in school is often 
the only reason students choose to stay in school. But many of our 
schools, facing tight budgets, have had to cut guidance counselors, the 
very people whose top priority is helping our kids manage the difficult 
terrain of middle and high school academies and social life.
  This bill will provide funds to demonstrate what we know by instinct: 
that these guidance counselors can make a significant difference in 
reducing our dropout rates. Funding will help districts with 
particularly high dropout rates hire more counselors, and train 
teachers and administrators in the most effective methods for working 
with at-risk students.

[[Page S9879]]

  We have spent many hours in this chamber this year debating the way 
ahead for education in this country. We discussed and provided funding 
for many programs that should allow every child in this country the 
opportunity to receive a high quality education. And yet, recent 
numbers from my State project that nearly one in five children in 
Oregon will drop out of school before graduation.
  If you think this statistic is sobering, consider that the dropout 
rate for minority students is higher still. Dropout rates among 
Hispanic, Native American, and African American children in Oregon are 
all in double digits for each year of high school.
  We know some of the warning signs for dropping out: getting behind in 
coursework, working more than 15 hours each week, dysfunctional home 
life, substance abuse, pregnancy, and lack of parental support for 
education, but spotting these indicators and keeping students in school 
are not the same.
  With the economy increasingly dependent on highly trained technical 
workers, a high school diploma is now a minimum credential for success 
in American society. Keeping students in school is one way we can help 
America's young people achieve success in their lives, while 
maintaining our status as a world leader.
  The DROP Act will establish a multi-state demonstration program that 
will fund school counselor positions in middle and high schools with 
high dropout rates. it will also offer specialized training to guidance 
counselors and teachers who work with ``at risk'' students. The effects 
of these demonstration projects will be carefully monitored, and 
evaluations reported back to the Secretary of Education, who will then 
share them with Congress, states, and educators who wish to address 
this problem.
  While the DROP Act requires only a small financial commitment, it has 
the potential to have far-reaching implications as our society gears up 
to lead the world into the 21st century. I encourage my colleagues to 
support this legislation as a way to help all our nation's children 
achieve their highest potential.
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