A task force of Illinois elected officials, representatives of state agencies, and members of the public staged the first of five public hearings last week to discuss strategies for re-enrolling dropouts in school.
The meeting, held in Chicago, focused on issues such as the use of alternative schools to help dropouts who re-enroll in school and the state’s role in encouraging former students to return to school. State officials estimate that 210,000 people in Illinois ages 16 to 24 can be classified as dropouts.
The task force, formed through a resolution of the state legislature earlier this year, is composed of eight legislators; representatives from Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich’s office and numerous state agencies; and 13 members of the public, including people who work with dropouts. The task force is expected to publish an interim report on its findings early next year and a final document by January 2008.
