Dear Members of the Board of Education:

I am a Virginia resident and a strong supporter of our public schools.  I appreciate the Board's efforts to make graduation rates a priority for Virginia high schools, but given the importance of producing graduates ready for college, work, and life, I'm writing to ask that you take a stronger stand. 

I am a parent of two high school students and I work as an In-home counselor with many families in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. It is critical that we give more support to helping youth graduate from high school and enter the work force prepared to support themselves and their future families.  Without a high school diploma, youth have little choice but to enter the long road of being supported by government subsidies.

• Please increase the target for the graduation index to at least 90 points, OR adjust the graduation and completion index so that it gives schools more points for Standard and Advanced Diplomas and fewer points for all alternative diplomas and other credentials. 

Virginia’s students need to receive appropriate supports to reach their potentials, and schools and the Commonwealth as a whole will benefit from incentives to provide the needed supports.

Thank you for your consideration.  I hope you'll do all that you can to increase the number of students who successfully graduate ready to fulfill their greatest potential.

Sincerely,

Pam McIntire

3200 Monroe Street

Earlysville, VA  22936