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82 <br /> <br />the American people to rededicate themselves to the great <br />principles that have formed the basis for our national <br />strength and prosperity; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, it is timely and appropriate for us to keep <br />in our hearts and minds the marvelous achievements of the <br />Constitutional Convention in 1787 and to preserve the <br />Constitutional Republic and the high ideals of our <br />Founding Fathers~ <br /> <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the .City of <br />Charlottesville do hereby proclaim September 17, 1987 as <br />United States Constitutional Day and announce our <br />intention to appoint a non-partisan committee to plan <br />proper and appealing activities and programs by which all <br />our citizens can participate in celebrating and <br />commemorating Constitution Day and other dates and events <br />relating thereto. <br /> <br />PRESENTATION: YOUTH SERVICE CENTER: DROP-OUT STUDY <br /> <br /> Dr. Thomas DeMaio, Chairman of the Youth Commission, <br />presented the Drop-Out Study. Dr. DeMaio stated that the <br />Commission had developed questions for the study, a <br />committee had been formed to gather information, which <br />then presented the information to the Commission'who <br />prepared the report. Dr. DeMaio stated that the primary <br />finding of the study was that there had been and continues <br />to be a drop-out problem in Charlottesville Schools. <br />Improvement had been seen in the past year. Why children <br />drop out and who drops out had been investigated. It was <br />found that the problem was not merely a school problem but <br />was a combination of family, personal, and school problems <br />combined. Many drop-outs were found to have parents who <br />had dropped out. Drop-outs tended to fall into the <br />following categories: have parents who are separated, <br />experience difficult in school, or have a history of <br />absenteeism in school. A higher percentage of blacks were <br />found to drop out. Children tended to drop out in the 9th <br />grade. Drop-outs were found to be six times more likely <br />to come into contact with the law later in life than <br />others. <br /> <br /> The recommendations of the Youth Commission <br />concerning the drop-out problem included the following: <br />1) develop a comprehensive plan, 2) re-examine the policy <br />regarding attendance and other problems in the middle and <br />high school, 3) use a preventive approach such as dealing <br />with the families in dealing with the problem, 4) identify <br />problems leading to dropping out, 5) view all intervention <br />as a coordinated effort between schools, family, and local <br />social service agencies. <br /> <br /> Dr. DeMaio stated that the Commission had presented <br />the report to the School Board and would be working with <br />them on how to examine the problem and implement the <br />recommendations. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Dr. Hall concerning why <br />students drop out in the 9th grade, Dr. DeMaio stated that <br />children reach the age of 16 and feel they can drop out <br />then (though they cannot legally until age 17) and the <br />transition to the high school is a major problem for some <br />students. <br /> <br /> Dr. DeMaio stated that a greater disparity in income <br />levels exists in Charlottesville than in other communities <br />which may contribute to the drop-out problem because of <br />the emphasis on high academic achievement rather than <br />merely staying in school. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Towe, Dr. DeMaio <br />stated that the study had not identified the existence of <br /> <br /> <br />