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Monday, February 27, 2012, 1 p.m. ET

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What States and Nonprofits Are Doing to Encourage Early High School Graduation

About This Chat:

A handful of states are offering students scholarship money for college if they graduate from high school early. And nonprofit organizations are piloting a new approach to curriculum and testing that give students a chance to wrap up their high school studies early. Such initiatives can give high-achieving students an incentive to work hard by taking summer school or online classes to wrap up their requirements a semester or two early. For others who are burned out on high school, an early exit enables them to avoid the senior slump and puts them on a fast-track to their career path.

The policies can save education dollars along the way—less instructional dollars spent by states and tuition savings for families. While some are concerned that students might be exiting the system before they are ready, others say by rewarding proficiency over seat time, students will leave high school college- and career-ready. Join us for this online chat to learn more about the challenges and merits behind this movement.

Guests:

Pat Garofalo, Republican from Minnesota and sponsor of the Early Graduation Achievement Act that passed in the state legislature last year.

Marc Tucker, president of the National Center on Education and the Economy, a Washington organization that is piloting an early high school graduation project in select high schools.

Caralee Adams, contributing writer, Education Week, will moderate this chat.

Related Stories:

• Some States Encouraging Students to Graduate Early From High School (January 25, 2012)

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