Kansas joined 30 other states in enrolling students in a federally funded program to raise high school graduation rates and help students prepare for college and careers.
The program, Jobs for America's Graduates, helps students who might be at risk of dropping out of school by offering them mentoring and extra support. Figures from Jobs for America's Graduates show that 90 percent of students in the program finish high school.
Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker said over 3,000 students drop out of school each year in Kansas. DeBacker added the state Department of Education had wanted to introduce the program years ago, but didn't have the funding until now.
The Kansas Department for Children and Families secured the $3.6 million federal grant this year to launch the program. Twenty-five schools around the state are participating.