WAMU 88.5's American Graduate Series

Series produced by WAMU

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Image by: Seeveeaar

As a part of the American Graduate program, Kavitha Cardoza, WAMU 88.5 education reporter, examines the dropout crisis in D.C.

Cardoza interviews teachers, parents, researchers, and dropouts as she looks at the causes and consequences of the dropout problem, which affects approximately 1 million students each year and has been called "the civil rights issue of our time."


20 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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Lisa Jones spoke with her former student, 12-year old Louis Wingfield, about what makes a good teacher.

  • Added: Jul 17, 2012
  • Length: 01:09
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Husband and wife Joseph Isaac and Makita Alexander, both teachers, spoke about how parenting affected their teaching.

  • Added: Jul 17, 2012
  • Length: 01:10
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Teachers Allison Waithe-Benton and Heather O’Brien talk about how the small things can make all the difference.

  • Added: Jul 17, 2012
  • Length: 01:32
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Yvonne Hu-Cotto spoke with her former student, Yesenia Cruz-Ramos, about how her expectations for her son with Down Syndrome have impacted her teac...

  • Added: Jul 17, 2012
  • Length: 01:50
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Yvonne Hu-Cotto spoke with her former student, Yesenia Cruz-Ramos, about the power of second chances and good teachers.

  • Added: Jul 17, 2012
  • Length: 01:30
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Melinda Elder and Megan Stoutamire reminisce about the fun they had, and the mistakes they made, in high school. They have managed to get back on t...

  • Added: Jul 17, 2012
  • Length: 02:00
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Melvin Clay, a 17 year-old student, spoke with his high school counselor Jeri Gresham about why he realized he needed to start prioritizing his stu...

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 01:05
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David Bress,a middle school teacher in DC, talks about learning how to make the most of unchoreographed teacher student exchanges.

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 01:46
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David Bress, a middle school teacher in DC, talks about how students can surprise you… in often pleasant ways.

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 01:14
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Script: These reports are part of American Graduate - Let's Make It Happen! - a public media initiative to address the drop out crisis, supported b...

  • Added: Aug 03, 2012
  • Length: :07
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Two women reflect on four generations that haven't finished high school

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 06:22
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D.C. sees huge drop in graduation rate under new calculation

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 06:46
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Teachers work to catch risk factors and help their students stay in school

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 06:36
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Other countries have pulled ahead, and the U.S. falls behind

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 06:47
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In a special production by WAMU 88.5 News, we focus on a singularly important topic in Washington, D.C. – the large number of students who drop out...

Bought by Red River Radio Network (E. Texas/Louisiana/Arkansas/Mississippi)


  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 51:30
  • Purchases: 1
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Despite odds stacked against them, two students strive to finish school

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 06:26
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At Baltimore Talent Development High, students and staff form close, respectful relationships

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 06:46
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Program applies successful Johns Hopkins model to D.C. schools and beyond

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 06:39
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Preventing dropouts requires teachers and staff to get parents more involved

  • Added: Jul 16, 2012
  • Length: 06:43
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With so much at stake, D.C. works to provide a second chance at graduation for dropouts.

  • Added: Aug 08, 2012
  • Length: 06:41