Graduation coaches for at-risk teens

News9.com

Gov. Brad Henry proposed a program on Wednesday to install "graduation coaches" for at-risk Oklahoma students.

Graduation coaches would act as guides for at-risk students with the intent to help reduce drop-out rates in Oklahoma, read a press release from the governor's office.

"In the last several years, we have done a better job providing new resources to education, while at the same time increasing academic rigor and accountability," Henry said. "But those efforts are of little use to students who don't stay in school."

The press release reads that a the program would be modeled after a similar program in Georgia. Henry said coaches would keep kids focused on academics and help students deal with issues outside of school that could pose a barrier to graduation.

"More than ever before, a high school diploma is needed for success in the workplace," Gov. Henry said. "Yet too many of our young people are entering the world without the education so vital to their success."