4/5: High school dropout 'epidemic' threatens AL's future

Montgomery Advertiser: Editorial: High school dropout 'epidemic' threatens state's future

"A health problem affecting 40% of a segment of the population certainly would qualify as an epidemic, so the use of that term is well justified in discussions of Alabama's disturbing high school dropout rate. The state's long-term well-being is decidedly threatened when such a large percentage of its students don't graduate from high school.

"That grim reality makes the recently released findings of the Alabama Select Commission on High School Graduation particularly important. The commission is chaired by state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who also was the sposnor of important legislation -- supported by this editorial page -- that raised the state's legal dropout age from 16 to 17.

"The fiscal cost of such a high dropout rate is staggering -- billions of dollars in lost income potential over the lifetimes of dropouts, with corresponding losses in tax revenue. But more importantly the human cost is incalculable, a terrible toll in stunted human potential, in lives far less productive and satisfying than they might have been." (More)

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: Clean Energy potential of Arkansas explored at forum

FLORIDA: Debate prompted by legislature's merit-pay plan for teachers

GEORGIA: Study shows state's day care classrooms offer low-quality care

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear is expected to sign landmark autism bill

LOUISIANA: Cap-and-trade could unlock new reserves in state

MISSISSIPPI: Shortage of doctors in state about to get worse

NORTH CAROLINA: State's business taxes among lowest in the nation

SOUTH CAROLINA: Opinion: Will S.C. reapply for massive education grant?

TENNESSEE: Alcoa expands aluminum can recycling operation in East Tennessee

VIRGINIA: U.S. Rep. McHenry upset over anti-Census conservatives

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

10/5: Prepaid state college plans may not cover all costs

New York Times: Prepaid state college plans may not cover all costs

In the last year, the slump in the stock market and rising college costs have put all but two of the 18 prepaid college savings plans in the red.

South Carolina’s plan overseers have developed doomsday scenarios, capping how much a family would get if the program shut down completely.

Alabama closed its program to new enrollees because the fund lost almost half of its assets — more than $300 million — in the stock market in the last year, and the state might have to put its own money in to keep it solvent.

Between them, the 18 state funds serve nearly 1.6 million families and hold $23.8 billion in assets, ranging from Tennessee’s small $80 million fund serving 9,700 families to Florida’s massive $8.7 billion fund that serves about 850,000 families.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Military retirees stunned by 21% inpatient fee hike

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe responds to $55.8 million shortfall in revenue

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist gets bad media coverage lately

GEORGIA: State gets another blow in water wars as drinking water not considered in study

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear heads to China, Japan on trade mission

LOUISIANA: Autism numbers more prevalent than previously thought

MISSISSIPPI: Revenues down dramatically in September

NORTH CAROLINA: State asks for $5.3 billion for trains

SOUTH CAROLINA: Water Wars, Part Two: SC, NC battle over Catawba River

VIRGINIA: DNC to pump another $1 million into gubernatorial race

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org