Dropout crisis to be discussed in Ishpeming ISHPEMING, MI (wnmu) - Education officials are traveling the state, talking about Michigan's dropout crisis, and their next stop is in Ishpeming. Doug Pratt is the Communications Director of the Michigan Education Association. He says even though the Marquette area's dropout rate is lower than the state average of 15 percent, one dropout is too many. He adds every dropout costs state and local governments thousands of dollars a year, and those who don't graduate have a hard time finding jobs, homes, and health care.

Pratt says officials want to hear from educators, parents, business leaders, and law enforcement, but especially need to hear from students about what's working and what's not. He says there's no lack of ideas for dropout prevention programs they just need to be tied together into a network so students don't fall through the cracks.

The hearing takes place Thursday, September 11th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ishpeming High School.
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