Legislator calls for better policies to help students in need of extra guidance 

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) requiring  schools to ensure their policies are geared towards the goal of keeping at-risk students from dropping out passed the House on Thursday.

“If you take a close look at students who typically drop out of school, there are often common circumstances that make them feel their only option is quitting,” Yarbrough said.  “Many high school dropouts are pregnant or have children, but just because someone is a parent or an expectant parent doesn’t mean they still aren’t children themselves.  Kids need extra guidance when dealing with these life-changing situations.”

Yarbrough’s House Bill 1330, also called the Ensuring Success in School Law, requires schools to evaluate and revise policies that inhibit the enrollment, re-enrollment, attendance and success of students who are parents, expectant parents or victims of domestic or sexual abuse.  The measure further requires schools to employ at least one person specifically trained to address the needs of at-risk students.

Yarbrough’s proposal is co-sponsored by 44 members of the Illinois House and is supported by many social service organizations, including the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, Protestants for the Common Good and the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention.

“If we are serious about keeping our kids in school, then we need to make sure our schools are doing more than simply telling students that dropping out is a bad choice,” Yarbrough said.  “Failure in school leads to failure in life.  We can work harder as a state to keep at-risk students in the classroom.”

The bill moves to the Senate, where it will be sponsored by Senator Iris Martinez (D-Chicago).  For more information, contact Yarbrough’s constituent service office at (708) 615-1747.

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