City of Stockton News Release

Connie Cochran
Public Information Officer

(209) 937-8827
connie.cochran@ci.stockton.ca.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : Monday, October 26, 2009

Stockton's Education Summit a Success

(Stockton, CA) - Over 200 students, business and community representatives, members of faith-based organizations, educators, school administrators, law enforcement and local government officials, gathered on Saturday, October 24, 2009, for Stockton’s Promise Education Summit. The Summit, funded by a grant from America’s Promise Alliance and led locally by Mayor Ann Johnston, was held to identify causes and formulate community solutions to address Stockton’s high school dropout crisis.

“The energy in the room was electrifying,” said Mayor Ann Johnston. “We asked people to attend who are committed to helping solve problems by rolling up their sleeves and doing what it takes to lower the dropout rate.”

The Summit featured a panel of students who shared their personal stories of challenges they faced and why they dropped out, as well as guest speakers: Dr. Matt Wetstein, Dean of Planning, Research & Institutional Effectiveness at San Joaquin Delta Community College; Mike Locke, President & CEO of the San Joaquin Partnership, a non-profit economic development corporation designed to recruit new business and industry into San Joaquin County; and Dr. Norton Grubb, who holds a doctorate in economics from Harvard University and is the David Gardner Chair in Higher Education at the School of Education at University of California, Berkeley, and author of numerous publications and books, including, “The Money Myth: School Resources, Outcomes, and Equity” and co-author of “The Education Gospel: The Economic Power of Schooling.”

In addition to the panelists and guest speakers, Summit participants worked in small groups and reported issues and recommendations. A follow-up meeting will be held to identify and implement selected programs, projects and initiatives, on Thursday, December 10, 2009, at San Joaquin County WorkNet, 56 S. Lincoln Street, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For additional information about Stockton’s Promise Education Summit, please visit www.stocktongov.com/stocktonspromise or call (209) 937-8499. Additional information about the national organization, America’s Promise Alliance, is available at www.americaspromise.org.
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