WHEREAS, the Alabama State Department of Education acknowledges the serious social, economic, and educational consequences resulting from young people dropping out of high school; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Corrections acknowledges a strong correlation between people who drop out of high school and those who are sentenced to time in Alabama correctional facilities; and

WHEREAS, the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation has worked tirelessly to invest time, creativity, and finances to the Stay-In-School Campaign; an effort that brings the importance of graduating from high school and the reality of what happens to many who do not graduate from high school to the forefront; and

WHEREAS, national statistics indicate that every 26 seconds a student drops out of school; more than 7,000 students drop out every day and more than 1.2 million drop out every year, and 8 out of 10 dropouts end up in prison; and

WHEREAS, nationally, each class of dropouts costs the United States more than $329 billion in lost wages, taxes, and productivity over their lifetimes, and the United States spends $40 billion every year on prisoner incarceration; and

WHEREAS, the efforts of the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation to curb instances of high school dropouts has the potential to significantly increase the number of young people choosing to stay in school, make something of their lives, and become employed, contributing members of their communities; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education fully supports the mission of the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation to help educators, community leaders, and other interested groups reduce the dropout rate and increase the graduation rate through the creation of relevant and effective tools and resources; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education, the Alabama State Department of Education, and the Alabama Department of Corrections, collectively and proudly acknowledge the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation’s role in the fight against dropout rates of epidemic proportions in the United States:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the promotion of the Stay-In-School Campaign through various media including billboards, television, radio, print, and apparel is strongly encouraged and supported by countless individuals and organizations who seek excellence in public education throughout Alabama; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby congratulate the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation on the launch and continuance of the Stay-In-School Campaign.

Done this 13th day of September 2012.