Innovation Conversation: Middle School Moment

Omarina Cabrera, a student featured in Middle School Moment

Join WXXI’s Innovation Trail for a community conversation event about the dropout crisis in Rochester and upstate New York, part of WXXI American Graduate Week

On Monday, September 24,2012 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. WXXI’s Innovation Trail will host Innovation Conversation: Middle School Moment, a discussion on the high school dropout rate in our area and the effect it has on our community.The forum, held at WXXI's Studios at 280 State Street, is free and open to the public. But seats are limited and reservations are required. To be part of the studio audience, please call (585) 258-0252 or email cdagen@wxxi.org.

Every year, thousands of students in this region quit high school without diplomas. This cripples their career prospects, and adds to the region’s economic challenges. The forum will feature a short PBS Frontline film called Middle School Moment, which explores a growing body of evidence suggesting the make-or-break moment for high school dropouts actually happens in middle school.

Immediately after the film, audience members will be encouraged to talk about the key facts, discuss local challenges, and set goals for personal and community action.  A panel of leading expert, which include: Dr. David Hursh, Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester; Dr. Linda Kramer Schlosser, Ralph C. Wilson School of Education at St. John Fisher College; and Jeremy Smith, Community Development Director at the NEAD/CDF Freedom School, will be on hand to help answer questions and provide additional information. The event will be facilitated by WXXI News Director Julie Philipp.

The conversation will be followed on Tuesday, September 25 by a PBS Frontline special, Dropout Nation, airing at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV/HD.

Innovation Conversation: Middle School Moment is part of WXXI's American Graduate Initiative and this event is made possible in part by Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, preparing students for graduation, college, and a career.