New York, May U.S.A - Every year, 1 million kids drop out of high school nationwide. According to a recent Civic Enterprises study, more than 1 in 4 students in New York State fails to graduate on time. If the state could achieve the national high school graduation rate goal of 90%, the additional graduates could deliver an estimated $368 million in increased annual earnings.

One of the most important voices in the dropout crisis is that of the educators – those who are on the “front lines” every day. In order to amplify this crucial voice and start a robust, solutions-based conversation, Thirteen will premiere ‘American Graduate: A Conversation with Teachers’, an intimate conversation with New York City school teachers from all five boroughs, hosted by Ray Suarez of the PBS NewsHour.

The program, taped at the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center, examines the most important issues affecting New York City educators and proposed solutions that could help alleviate the dropout crisis.

‘American Graduate: A Conversation with Teachers’ is part of ‘American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen’, a national public media initiative made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to help New York City and other communities across America identify and implement solutions to the high school dropout crisis.

“Each year, one out of every four students makes the life altering decision to drop out of school resulting in severe consequences for their future and our country,” said Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of CPB. “Through ‘American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen,’ America’s public radio and television stations – locally owned and operated – are engaging local  non-profit partners, business leaders, parents and teachers to help young people stay on the path to a high school diploma.”

Thirteen is one of nearly 70 public media and television stations around the country that are working directly with their communities to address the dropout crisis. Thirteen and “American Graduate” project partners have developed a blend of media across several platforms – TV, radio, online – and community engagement efforts designed to raise public awareness and offer solutions to increase New York City high school graduation rates.

“Education has always been at the center of public broadcasting,” said Jon Rubin, Director, State, and Local Educational Services for WNET New York. “That’s why we are proud to be a part of this important national initiative and are honored to work with the local community to make sure New York City’s students stay in school and graduate.  Society cannot afford to lose a generation of our young people to this serious crisis.”

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