July 27, 2009 Maine summit focuses on high school dropout rate Play video

(NECN: Amy Sinclair) - Maine educators and students returned from their summer vacations this week to address what is now being called a statewide epidemic. They're attending a "Dropout prevention summit", in hopes of increasing the number of high school students who wear a cap and gown.

In today's global economy, a high school education is a baseline for success. But 2 years ago, Anthony Lary thought a diploma was out of his reach.

More than one in five Maine students fails to finish high school.

This statewide dropout prevention summit being held at the University of Maine is the state's latest and most comprehensive attempt to address what educators now call an epidemic.

One thing that distinguishes this summit from past efforts is the recognition that at-risk teenagers must be part of the solution.

Teachers, school administrators and business leaders heard from teens about what led them to drop out and drop back in again.

One thing many dropouts have in common is a troubled home life and the teens say schools could do a much better job of checking in on them to make sure they don't slip through the cracks.

NECN’s Amy Sinclair reports.