In one Las Vegas school district, students who drop out of school often get a knock on their door from their former principal. He sits down with them and tells them that the school needs them and wants them back. Often, because they feel wanted, the students decide to give school another try.
Nevada has among the worst dropout rates in the nation, and a lack of a high school diploma can make it especially hard for young people to find jobs in an increasingly competitive economy. Although Nevada's gaming and hospitality industries were booming for a long time, they are now struggling because of the down economy.
To bolster its workforce and encourage teens to get their diplomas, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Clark County School District to connect mentors in the business community with youth to provide them with opportunities and career goals after graduation.
Quotes
"The hotel casino jobs, the valet parking jobs, those sorts of things that were very popular amongst the younger generation, (who) felt they didn't need high school graduation, a college education. Those jobs now are being held onto by people that have been at those properties for a very long time. And there's not likely going to be many openings in those areas for high school dropouts." - Kristin McMillan, CEO, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
"I was pretty surprised. I didn't know they were going to come to my house. And it made me feel like I was actually important, like they actually wanted me back. They said that they will do anything for me to come back and basically get my diploma." - Isaiah Quimbao, student
Warm Up Questions
1. What do you know about Las Vegas and its economy?
2. What are some reasons why students might drop out of high school?
3. What do most students at your school do after graduation?
Discussion Questions
1. Were you surprised by anything in this video? Why?
2. If you had dropped out of school and your principal came to your home to ask you to come back, do you think you would go back? Why or why not?
3. Why do you think a high school diploma is so much more necessary to find work in today's economy?
Additional Resources
