Arkansas remediation rate shocks Gov. Huckabee

Little Rock, Arkansas - At the Sept 20, 2006, Next Step High School Redesign Summit at the Statehouse Convention Center, Governor Huckabee revealed, " ... some startling statistics ... took my breath away. Twenty percent of Arkansas ninth graders do not stay in school until graduation. The rate is even higher for African-Americans and Hispanic students. More than 50 percent of Arkansas students who go straight to college require remedial courses in both math and English. ... Academically, ...Arkansas' high schools are in crisis."

These "startling statistics" were in direct conflict with the Commissioner of Arkansas Department of Education, Dr. Ken James previous released commments [Read comments]. It is totally astounding that the governor would say he didn't know these things. However, the conflict between statistics did not prevent the Governor from joining the Commissioner in announcing another new program called Next Step for Arkansas? Future that is supposed to focus on the "redesign of high schools so all students are prepared for life after graduation." The Women's Prayer & Action Group expressed concerns over this new program!