By Sean Corcoran (WCAI)

LISTEN NOW »

Last week, the federal government released some forty-four billion dollars in federal stimulus money for education, with another round of funding due later this year. Among people concerned about the state’s dropout rates, there’s optimism that the new dollars can be put toward the problem. But budget restraints already are hitting dropout prevention efforts, forcing cutbacks and perhaps even ending some programs.

When Beverly High School’s regular school day ends around 2:45 each afternoon, large back-hoes and dump-trucks begin ramping up their clamorous work on the school’s 81 million dollar addition and renovation project. And also around that time, about a dozen students — students who’ve had trouble in school and have even contemplated dropping out — they’re starting their academic day.

Continue Reading