| os Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is now | | | | The newer campaign is called My Future, My Decision. |
| implementing a comprehensive dropout prevention and | | | | It taps the students for personal responsibility through |
| recovery program. This program will level multiple | | | | multimedia broadcast and communication channels. |
| services, funding resources and the needs of dropouts | | | | Alternative communication channels include the specific |
| and their families. | | | | website, peer to peer social networking and cell phone |
| The program My Future, My Decision was | | | | texting. |
| implemented by LAUSD’s Dropout Prevention | | | | There is also higher educational institutions partnership. |
| and Recovery staff and supporters. It integrates a | | | | It aims to expand educational programs for high school |
| comprehensive approach in reducing dropout rates. It | | | | students of the Los Angeles Community College |
| focuses on the problems and needs of potential | | | | District. |
| dropouts to regain schooling. It is committed to assist | | | | In fixed programs for professional development, the |
| and counsel students to earn a diploma. | | | | staff works directly with at-risk students. They use the |
| A study shows that one out of three high school | | | | Parent-Student Resource Guidebook to support and in |
| students fail to graduate. Many students have low | | | | explain educational options. |
| self-esteem that they give up midway in their | | | | When necessary, they visit door to door to reach out |
| schooling. | | | | to the students. They counsel and explain how they |
| The growing number of dropouts will make them four | | | | can complete course credits and other requirements. |
| times more likely to be unemployed. A school dropout | | | | The expanded youth employment program promotes |
| is more likely to become a prisoner, living in poverty, | | | | learn to earn year-round programs with the help of the |
| unhealthy, and divorced. He does not vote and | | | | mayor’s office and civic organizations. It gives |
| participate in the community. He ends up in low paying | | | | them the opportunity to work while studying. |
| jobs also. | | | | Network development provides educational options |
| The Los Angeles Unified School District campaigns | | | | while working such as independent study program, |
| vigorously to solve this problem. It extends an outreach | | | | alternative education work centers, 6 education career |
| effort through student-friendly communications like | | | | centers, 56 community day schools and 18 adult |
| radios, text messaging and peer to peer networking | | | | schools. |
| sites. It has developed several programs to encourage | | | | Other elements include a new parental notification |
| students to finish school. | | | | system, online credit recovery classes and accurate |
| One program is the Appointment of (DPA) Diploma | | | | mapping and tracking systems for dropout rates. |
| Project Advisers and (PSA) Pupil Service and | | | | Another program option is the collaboration of |
| Attendance Counselors. It provides the placement of | | | | community based organizations and officials. |
| 80 DPAs and 300 PSAs in schools having high | | | | In the end, students agree that dropping is a big |
| dropout rates. They help develop and implement | | | | mistake. A poll released by the National Governors |
| individual educational blueprints. DPAs and PSA | | | | Association in 2005 found out that young people who |
| counselors work with the school staff to develop | | | | still want to go to college has a rate of 87 percent. Los |
| incentive programs like providing a quarterly parent | | | | Angeles Unified School District is hoping for a big |
| meeting and intervention services upon enrolment. | | | | change, hoping to give students a better future. |