Junior Achievement Helps At-Risk Students
* Your story on the lower high-school dropout rate in the Antelope, San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys (May 26) was good news. The dedicated teachers, school officials and parents who helped make this possible deserve a lot of credit.
Junior Achievement of Southern California and local businesses have worked in partnership with educators to encourage at-risk students to stay in school. More than 400 Junior Achievement volunteers serve some 12,000 students in this area by teaching them about our free-enterprise system through classes like “The Economics of Staying in School,” which show the downside of dropping out of school.
After-school programs such as JA Company give high school students hands-on experience at running a business under the guidance of Junior Achievement volunteers.
In addition, companies work directly with schools. For example, Southern California Edison has various programs for at-risk students from kindergarten through high school, as well as scholarships for gifted students to continue their education beyond high school.
Edison also works with the Antelope Valley High School District Career Prep Council to provide students with career counseling. And, through the Kid Connection at Castaic Middle School, our employees, matched with students, show how school studies and activities apply to skills and abilities needed in the workplace.
A Chinese proverb says: “The schools of the country are its future in miniature.” Working together, educators, Junior Achievement and businesses can ensure a bright future by helping our youths remain in school.
J. MICHAEL MENDEZ
Rosemead
Mendez is a member of the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Southern California.
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