October 25, 2009
New program targeting dropouts wins funding
LAWRENCE MESSINA
Associated Press Writer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Kanawha County officials hope a new approach toward keeping would-be dropouts in school will prove a model for the rest of West Virginia and beyond.
Gov. Joe Manchin recently agreed to a $2 million funding request from Delegate Sharon Spencer, D-Kanawha, and others. The money will build four new classrooms at both of Kanawha County's career technical centers.
These centers are key to the new approach. It focuses on 8th, 9th and 10th graders identified as potential dropouts. Instead of keeping them in traditional classrooms, the program offers vocational and technical training. Attending two-year community and technical colleges also becomes a goal.