Graduation rates for 2013 in Oregon rank worst in nation

Ore. — Oregons high school graduation rate for the class of 2013 is officially the worst in the nation.

That information is out of the U.S. Department of Education. While states measure their graduation numbers differently, Oregon ranked number 49 with Idaho as the only state that didn’t report their numbers.

But in the Medford and Cave Junction school districts, ‘The Big Idea’, a program backed by United Way and other community partners is pushing for a 100% high school graduation rate for the kids they’re working with by 2020.

“The point is to help them individually when they need help with mentors, with eyeglasses, with physical therapy, with clothes with school registration fees, many things that parents simply can’t afford,” says the program creator, Dee Anne Everson.

If you’d like to find out how you can get involved in this initiative, contact The United Way at 541-773-5339.