by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

It’s been documented that urban environments are experiencing critical high school dropout rates - Los Angeles with 50%, Philadelphia with 45% and Pittsburgh with 35%.  Cities are trying various strategies to stem this daunting problem.

Education Week reported recently on a 4-5 year program implemented in Pittsburgh this past summer for entering 9th graders, considered the make-or-break year.

A full week introduced kids to their new school and then they went on to a wooded site for recreation in which teachers and their principal joined the kids in hip-hop dancing and walking on a log, suspended high above the ground - all meant to be fun but with a serious purpose.

Staff and students got to know each other and there were discussions of goals, time management, homework and of elective opportunities such as the robotics team.

Truancy officers now work with families of kids who miss school often, each of the 800 students has a mentor and all work on a year-long civic project.

The program is called 9th Grade Nation building support and confidence for kids to stay in schools and graduate.