HARTFORD, CT - The Connecticut State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a briefing to examine high school student graduation rate disparities in Connecticut.

Background: In 2007, more than 9,200 high school students in Connecticut did not graduate, possibly costing the state more than $2.3 billion in lost wages, taxes, and productivity over their lifetimes. Connecticut is among 10 states with the greatest racial or ethnic disparities in high school graduation rates. High school dropouts in Connecticut are twice as likely to be African Americans as non-Hispanic whites; they are nearly five times more likely to be Latino. African American teens ages 16-19 are three times more likely not to be in school or working than non-Hispanic white teens; Latino teens are four times more likely. Poverty is the main outcome of this low educational attainment. Nationally, 43 percent of people with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty, 17% receive food stamps, and 70 percent have no job or part-time job.

The Committee will hear from elected officials, school officials, child advocacy organizations, and parents. Invited speakers include State Representatives Jason Bartlett and Gary Holder-Winfield, Hartford Superintendent Steven Adamowski, Capital Magnet School principal Dr. Steven Perry, and former State Department of Education Commissioner Betty Sternberg.

The briefing is open to the public. For more information contact Barbara de La Viez, Eastern Regional Office, 202-376-7533, or Richard Wilson, Chairman, Connecticut Advisory Committee, Richard.wilson@uconn.edu.