FEATURES ARCHIVE
FEATURES ARCHIVEPROGRAM WILL ALLOW A 2ND CHANCE TO ACHIEVE ESSENTIAL DIPLOMA
The program starting this year in Winston-Salem to help high-school dropouts achieve a diploma or GED will be a worthwhile investment for the students involved – and for society as a whole. There are still details to be worked out, but this should be a good program.
Winston-Salem has been awarded a $1.1 million YouthBuild grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that will help 80 students over the next three years work toward that goal. The participants will be selected from a pool of about 300 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who have dropped out of high school. The program is aimed specifically at at-risk youth who have faced challenging circumstances – such as current or former foster youth, youth offenders, youths with disabilities and migrant farm workers. Up to 25 percent of the students may actually have a diploma or GED but still be considered deficient in basic skills. Staff members will help each student achieve their GED or diploma – and the practical skills that are necessary in the workplace.