Quoted from the June 19, 1996 Daily Report Card:
-> *1   GOING DOWN, DOWN, DOWN:  CALIFORNIA'S DROP-OUT RATE
->    Calif. state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine
-> Eastin was pleased to announce a continuation in the decline of her
-> state's school drop-out rate (Calif. DoEd press release,
-> 6/4).  "I am encouraged by the efforts public school districts
-> have made to reduce the number of students dropping out of
-> school," she said.  The statewide rate for students in grades 9
-> through 12 "decreased rather substantially" from almost 5% in
-> 1993-1994 to 4.4% in 1994-1995, writes the release.  The national
-> dropout rate for 1993-1994 is 4.5%.
->    During the past decade, Calif. school districts have worked
-> to reduce drop-out rates by opening alternative educational
-> programs to at-risk students, reports the release.  The number of
-> students enrolled in alternative programs increased by 406% since
-> 1985.
->    Eastin:  "Dropping out has enormous economic implications.
-> The difference in earning capacity is substantial between
-> dropouts and young people who complete their education. ... We
-> must reemphasize our efforts to help youngsters realize that,
-> without a high school diploma, they are severely limiting their
-> future options."
->    Calif. dropout data for grades 9 through 12 can be
-> electronically retrieved.  Call the Educational Demographics
-> Bulletin Board at 916/657-5371 or 916/657-4881.  Or, access the data
-> through the Internet at goldmine.cde.ca.gov.
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