Recruiting coaches for Philadelphia students

    Organizers say this is not a typical mentoring program.

    The city of Philadelphia is adding another weapon in its arsenal to cut the high school dropout rate. The goal is to help put together a road map to post-secondary education.

    Future coaches gather in Philadelphia City Hall

    The Graduation Coach Campaign is designed to recruit people then equip and empower them to help students find their way through high school and the college application process. Lori Shorr is the mayor’s chief education officer. She says this is not another mentoring program.

    “It’s any caring knowledgeable adult, so maybe I have a special relationship with a child in my church who looks up to me. I get trained as a coach I can help them stay on track to make sure they are getting through high school and are going to college.”

    Fueled by grants, six community organizations will help train the coaches. The city is hoping to train thousands of coaches who will work together through an interactive website as they help students achieve the goal of a college education.

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