Officials: Poverty contributes to slowing graduation rates

Poverty emerged as the primary cause for slowing graduation rates at Cape Girardeau schools during a Tuesday meeting of community leaders.

In a communitywide effort to improve graduation rates in the district, about 45 city and school officials met at the Cape Girardeau School Board office before the start of their workday.

"Many of you approached me and said you'd be the sleepy one at the meeting," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri.

The meeting was the first of several sessions sponsored by the United Way aimed at finding a solution to the falling graduation rate. Cape Girardeau's graduation rate fell to 72 percent in 2008 from 76.4 percent the year before. The 2008 figure compares to a 93.5 percent graduation rate for the Jackson School District.

The group's first task was to digest other statistics on the issue.

Jernigan presented several charts analyzing the effect of poverty, race and gender on ACT scores, graduation rates and MAP scores, among others.

The group, which included mayors, superintendents, deans and pastors, broke into small groups and milled around the charts to discuss the implications of the statistics. Together they concluded that the most prominent challenge to students is poverty.

"Poverty families are in flux now more than ever," said Mike Cowan, principal of Cape Girardeau Central High School. He said the high school adds or drops three students per day because families are moving and splitting up due to job loss. Students who are continually changing schools have a harder time catching up with new curricula, he said.

The percentage of students applying for and receiving free and reduced lunches has increased, an indicator of poverty levels within the district. Between 2007 and 2008, the percentage increased from 50.9 percent to 54.3 percent, according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Other members of the group said graduation rates would increase with improved community and family support.

"It's one of those things money can't fix," said Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson. When parents do not take an active interest in their children's education, the students suffer, he said.

The Rev. Sam Roethemeyer, president of the Jackson Ministerial Alliance, said even students not planning on attending college should graduate high school because they could then pursue vocational degrees and careers with the military.

"Even if we get you through high school, there's always the opportunity to find something later in life," he said.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

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