Stockton's Promise Education Summit
Stockton's Promise Education Summit was held on October 24, 2009 at the
Stockton Hilton, 2323 Grand Canal Blvd. Read more...
The following are links to information about the guest speakers and their presentations:
Dr. Matt Wetstein, San Joaquin Delta Community College
Speakers Bio
Presentation - PDF 19 pages
Michael Locke, San Joaquin Partnership
Speakers Bio
Presentation - PDF 15 pages
Dr. Norton Grubb, University of California, Berkeley
Speakers Bio
Presentation - PDF 2 pages
For information, please call (209) 937-8499 or e-mail
Mayor@ci.stockton.ca.us

Did you know that in California, schools produce one dropout for every
three graduates? Stockton's crisis is a crisis for our teens, our community,
and our state. Together we can address the causes and find solutions.
A Message from the Mayor:
The future of our community depends upon the achievement of our young people and their success depends on their education level. Education has an impact upon the performance of our workforce. Every business wants to hire good employees who can perform effectively. Those who do not have the skills to take an order correctly, total a bill, or communicate with a customer cost the company money.
Our economy loses millions of dollars each year due to the poor performance of employees who have not succeeded in school. Research confirms that dropouts have:
• higher rates of unemployment
• lower earnings
• poorer health and higher rates of mortality
• higher rates of criminal behavior and incarceration
• increased dependence on public assistance
This costs our society, both in terms of lost income and in the cost of public assistance programs. We all benefit by keeping our children in school and helping them graduate prepared for a career or college and life.
Every child deserves an education. We need to make a promise to every child and every young adult that they will have the opportunity to get the best education and support that we can possibly provide. We must promise them a community which cares, a safe place to grow up, a healthy start, an effective education, and a chance to contribute to their community. That promise deserves the commitment and support of our entire community.
Recently published reports indicate that California public schools produce one dropout for every three graduates. Statistics published by the California Dropout Research Project, at University of California, Santa Barbara, reflect Stockton high schools experience a dropout rate consistent with that of the state.
We are committed to solving this community crisis. We will be sending regular communication to raise the level of awareness about the dropout issue and to share with you how you can help make a difference.
Education has been my lifelong passion. As a credentialed teacher, I taught English as a Peace Corp volunteer and as a classroom teacher in Valley schools. While my own career has taken a different path, I have always been involved in education, as a mother, school board member and business owner. As Mayor of the City of Stockton, improving education is one of my primary initiatives, because every challenge that we face as a community is directly related to the quality of education that our children and young adults experience.
Mayor Ann Johnston
City of Stockton
Brought to you by the City of Stockton and America's Promise Alliance

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