With the graduation rate hovering at just 54% and 8,000 young adults neither in school nor employed, Portland faces millions in lost earnings and lost dreams. In addition, youth find themselves at greater risk of jail time, homelessness and entrenched poverty. Grappling with how to turn this tide of events, Mayor Sam Adams prioritized cutting the drop out rate in half, and getting youth access to post-secondary education and training. This became the comprehensive focus of the Education Cabinet, a community leadership collaborative co-chaired by the Mayor and County Chair Ted Wheeler.
We know that there are several challenges facing Portland youth, and that meaningful work is needed for youth of all ages. However, by keeping the focus on the success of youth in high school, the region was able to better magnify gaps and inequities while aligning resources, research and interventions to have lasting impact on our youth.
“I come from a family of four kids. Two of us graduated from high school, two didn’t. I saw firsthand the long-term, devastating effect of dropping out of high school. This priority is not political, it’s personal.”
Mayor Sam Adams
Education in 2009:
Mayor Adams, County Chair Wheeler Convene Education Cabinet
High-level, diverse group of experts will focus on increasing graduation and post-secondary rates in Portland region
Getting Everyone on the Bus
YouthPass connects 13,000 high-school students with wheels (and tracks)
City, County Embrace Youth Engagement
Special City and County Council Session emphasizes youth leadership and achievement
Lend Your Voice, Portland Youth!
PDXYouth.org provides youth access, involvement with local government
Summer Youth Corps Delivers College, Career Experiences
Series of interventions keep targeted students on track
Connect. Explore. Achieve.
Career + College Exploration joins Ninth Grade Counts helping Freshmen start high school strong
Getting Students Back On Track
Credit Recovery and Internship pilot rewards students with real-world experience and credits toward graduation
Federal Stimulus Helps Youth Get Hired
Youth SummerWorks program combats youth unemployment
Mayor's Budget Boosts Youth Services
40% increase in funding for work experience and academic support
Luis Palau Writes $100K Check
Gift to the City of Portland gives dropouts new opportunities
Education Cabinet Receives Grant
Meyer Memorial Trust invests in evaluation of education efforts
Equity is Key to Educational Reform
Education strategies prioritize equity to improve drop-out crisis
Filling the Gap to Keep Lunches Coming
Mayor, Council work together to extend Parks' summer lunch program
