Job Corps is a federally funded residential program that teaches job skills to young people while encouraging them to finish their high school education. This “Greater Boston” report looks at what has proven to be an effective solution to the dropout problem.

Studio Guests: Jennifer James, Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development; Shawn Brown, Boston Private Industry Council.

Produced by Jared Bowen and Meghan Reese

JAMN 94.5’s Ramiro Torres’ parents both dropped out of high school but he decided to complete his high school diploma. Alexandria King’s parents graduated from both high school and college, but she dropped out two weeks before graduation. This Greater Boston report brings together two people who decided to take different paths in life.

Studio Guest: Evan Dobelle, Westfield State College President

Produced by: Tonia Collins

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exams  became a graduation requirement in 2003. The Massachusetts Department of Education says students who fail the MCAS are 11 times more likely drop out of high school. Critics of the controversial exams say the test an unfair graduation requirement. This “Greater Boston” report looks at whether the MCAS exams contribute to the dropout rate.

Studio Guests: Mitchell Chester, Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education; Louis Kruger, Northeastern University Bouve College of Heath Sciences.

Produced by Ralph Ranalli

With the national unemployment rate at 8.1 %, the recession is helping the four branches of the US military exceed their recruitment figures. But with so many educated, qualified people out of work, the military can afford to be more selective in its recruitment efforts. In other words, high school dropouts may face more competition when pursuing what many consider a fallback career. However, the US Army offers some high school dropouts a chance to get their diplomas in order to serve their country. But these recruits must jump through more hoops than someone who completed high school.

Studio Guests: David O’Neil, Education Service Specialist; Sergeant First Class (SFC) Gregory Grayson, Army Recruiting Station Commander; Richard Murnane, Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Produced by: Sanjay Salomon

Each day 40,000 Massachusetts students use public transportation to get to school which is why MBTA stations can be a haven for kids who decide not to go to class. In this report, Greater Boston host Emily Rooney tags along with members of Operation StopWatch, a collaborative effort of the MBTA, the Boston Police Department, the Boston Public Schools, and other agencies, that reaches out to teens to understand why they are not in school.

Studio Guests: Attorney Lisa Thurau-Gray, Strategies for Youth and Kathy Hamilton, Youth Policy Coordinator, Boston Private Industry Council

A former dropout mentor helps at risk youth get their diplomas.

How 16-year old Maggie from Lawrence copes with school, home and a new baby.