US Labor Department announces continuation grants for 9 persistently dangerous high schools in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York State

Students to benefit from mentoring, employment support, violence prevention activities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a continuation of grants amounting to more than $17.3 million for a third round of funding to nine schools in three public school districts that have been identified by their state educational agencies as "persistently dangerous" due to high levels of disruption and violence. Baltimore, Md.; New York State's Berkshire Union Free School; and Philadelphia, Pa., initially were granted funds in 2007. With a second round of funding awarded in 2009, selected schools continue to make progress through steady improvements in ninth grade attendance levels, ninth to tenth grade promotion rates and reduced suspension rates.

"I am proud to announce continued support that not only will help create safer school environments for students, but also increase their educational opportunities and give them a better chance to do well in their future workplaces," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These grants represent an investment in young people who matter. Their success will be our nation's success."

This funding will enable recipient schools to continue a focus on strategies that foster enhanced educational and career opportunities. Those strategies include mentoring, employment support and violence prevention. Activities supported through these grants include anti-bullying efforts, peer mediation, anger management classes, crisis intervention, increased involvement of parents and teacher training.

The projects funded ultimately are expected to create reforms that will have a positive impact on the entire school-based community and help reduce low student achievement, violence and high dropout rates, and improve student behavior and academic performance. Target groups include at-risk youth, such as entering ninth graders and repeating ninth graders; and those individuals who present the greatest challenges in terms of misconduct, truancy and poor school performance.

The specific high schools receiving a continuation of their grants are:

W.E.B. DuBois High School, The Baltimore City School District, Baltimore Md.

Berkshire Farm Center, The Berkshire Union Free School District, Canaan, N.Y.

Abraham Lincoln High School, Germantown High School, John Bartram High School, Overbrook High School, Thomas FitzSimons High School, University City High School and West Philadelphia High School, all in The School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa.

For more information on Department of Labor training programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov.