The four-year graduation rate at Tupelo High has finally crept above 85 percent, a goal district officials set five years ago and have been reaching for ever since.
Education reporter Emma Kent (15:03) co-hosts today’s show with Brad and also talks about those efforts at Tupelo High.
The school’s graduation rate was around 70 percent in 2011. Now, it is about 86.7 percent. Principal Jason Harris said getting students from ninth grade to graduation depends on building relationships with students and keeping teachers focused. Teachers at THS also have made a concerted effort to monitor students who struggle academically and look for ways to help them.
Also on today’s show, business editor Dennis Seid (21:29) talks about last-minute holiday shopping. Studies say that about 60 percent of consumers had not completed their shopping as of Dec. 13. Retailers also are expecting a 3.6 percent increase in sales this year.
Dennis also talks about the Tupelo High band (25:43) being chosen to participate in the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. But first, the program must raise about $100,000 to send all 150 of its members to the event.
M. Scott Morris (34:32) reviews “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Derek (42:29) has the highlights of this weekend’s entertainment scene, including SremmFest 2016.
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