Many of us can recall how much emphasis was placed on teachers and administrators when it came to graduating from high school. Nowadays, there’s a common assumption that everyone has their diploma. However, the truth is, some students are still unable to achieve that milestone.
Dropping out of high school can be a significant turning point in a person’s life. For many, it often leads to a more pessimistic outlook on the future. Unfortunately, it can also raise the likelihood of experiencing poverty, becoming involved in crime, and facing ongoing instability.
It’s important to remember that dropping out shouldn’t dictate the rest of someone’s life. Sure, obtaining a high school diploma is generally a strong step towards success. But we know that impulsive decisions or life circumstances can drastically alter young people’s paths.
In Alabama, there are two key reasons why it’s crucial to offer dropouts the chance to finish their education and start their careers. First and foremost, it’s simply the right thing to do. Many of these young individuals feel despair and think they have no options.
Moreover, given that students face different challenges, our educational system should adopt a more comprehensive view. We need to create various pathways to help these young folks reach their American dreams.
The second point is that as lawmakers, we frequently collaborate with business leaders to find solutions for our state’s workforce participation rates through diverse workforce development initiatives. By offering alternatives to those young people, we significantly improve our chances of fostering productive citizens. It’s vital for us not to lose healthy young individuals to a stagnant job market.
This motivated me to sponsor the Reach Act, which recently passed in the Alabama Legislature and has been signed into law.
We partnered with the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) to devise a plan that provides a second opportunity for students. The Reach Act will bolster ACCS’s programs for non-traditional high school diplomas, aimed at those who didn’t finish their education.
The Reach Act lowers the eligibility age to between 18 and 19, and it requires the Alabama Department of Education to share dropout information with ACCS to help prevent these students from falling through the cracks.
As part of the dropout process, students will be informed about options for non-traditional diplomas and adult education programs during their exit interviews.
These non-traditional diplomas are equivalent to traditional ones, which is significant because students need to be eligible for state public universities in Alabama.
Jimmy Baker, the Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, put it succinctly:
“For those willing to make necessary changes despite unfortunate circumstances and choices in their teenage years, one of the strengths of Alabama’s community colleges is their ability to meet students where they are. The Reach Act enables more students to access the Alabama High School Diploma Options (HSDO) program.
Baker also noted that over 300 students earned their diplomas through the HSDO program in 2024, and these graduates are better positioned to secure jobs in Alabama, often at higher wages than those with a GED.
Pushing through the Reach Act goes beyond just policy change. It’s truly about providing a real second chance. Dropping out doesn’t mean a young person’s journey has to end. It’s in everyone’s best interest to offer these individuals alternative pathways to becoming valuable members of society.
With the Reach Act now a law, Alabama is taking significant steps forward. We haven’t abandoned those students who have left school; instead, we’re encouraging them to return.
