America's Promise Alliance

Arlington Dropout Prevention Summit

November 01, 2008

Convener: Arlington's Mayor Office

Estimated Attendance: 200

Summit Location : Arlington ISD Professional Development Center 111 W Arbrook Blvd, Arlington, Texas

Highlights:

The Arlington Independent School District convened over 200 young people and community leaders to begin planning for a community-wide dropout prevention action plan.

• Next steps include organizing a larger committee of community partners in developing a thorough action plan. This plan includes non profit organizations and faith based organizations filling in gaps of current services offered to assist on improving key issues. Also to analyze current school district policies and strategies to realign with findings from the summit.
• The City of Arlington and the Arlington Independent School District are also developing an umbrella organization to oversee and continue this effort for a long term improvement. The umbrella organization is called Our Communities, Our Kids. This organization will focus on America’s Promise Alliance five promises and implementing the Promises through out the Community of Arlington and partnering organizations. A Collaboration Breakfast is planned for January 23, 2009 to present findings and plan of action. This event will be the start of implementation of the overall strategy.

Summit Planning Team:

The Success in Schools summit had a steering committee of representatives from the Arlington ISD, City of Arlington, AHSP (United Way), Arlington Alliance for Youth, Mansfield ISD, Kennedale ISD and Tarrant County Community College.  Other representation included Arlington City Council, Arlington ISD Business Partners, YMCA, Arlington Youth who have dropped out and obtained their GED or reentered the system to graduate and youth who have dropped out and entered the work force.

Contact: