Five Questions

Through an intense focus on middle school improvement that leverages the best available research and practice, the George W. Bush Institute is seeking to dramatically increase the number of students who are well-prepared to enter high school and are ready to earn a meaningful diploma through its Middle School Matters initiative.

Last month, Louisiana announced a new plan to aid troubled public school students after an earlier dropout prevention program was scrapped. In this edition of our "Five Questions" series, Debbie Schum, executive director of college and career readiness at the Lousiana Department of Education, provides a first-hand assessment of the Pelican State's emphasis on research-focused programs to keep students in school as educators work together toward a lofty goal. 

Over the past 40 years, Marguerite W. Kondracke has worked in government, business and the non-profit sector. But one thing has remained constant: Kondracke's focus on the needs of children and families.

As the former governor of Florida and a prominent member of one of America's most powerful political families, Jeb Bush could have done pretty much anything he wanted to when he left office.

Some figured he'd run for the U.S. Senate. Others thought he'd logically want to sit behind the desk in the office that his father and brother once occupied. The Associated Press even reported the the National Football League had offered him a job as commissioner.

In the first edition of our "Five Questions" series of interviews with individuals on the front lines of the fight to improve graduation rates, NoDropouts.org speaks with education consultant, author and Villanova University associate dean Dr. Stephen Jones, who has called for universities to play a stronger role in battling the dropout epidemic — starting with taking a greater academic interest in athletic recruits.