WHEREAS, according the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average high school graduate earns in excess of $700 per month more than the average person who has not completed high school; and

WHEREAS, the graduation rate for Metropolitan Nashville high schools is an indication that high school students may not be given the tools necessary to become successful and productive members of the workforce; and

WHEREAS, a primary function of high school guidance counselors should be providing the necessary information and encouragement to students to ensure that they stay on track for graduation; and

WHEREAS, meeting at the beginning of the school year with all students intending to graduate in the spring would help these students focus on what needs to be done to fulfill their goals and would provide them with the necessary information about college and scholarship applications; and

WHEREAS, Members of Council have been made aware that some high school seniors within the Metro Nashville Public Schools are not adequately informed about deadlines for college and financial aid applications; and

WHEREAS, implementing a computer tracking system that monitors the progress of all high school students and provides periodic reports to parents would greatly assist students in meeting their graduation goals.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to require high school guidance counselors to meet with all seniors not later than the second week of school to confirm the graduation track they are pursuing and to provide information regarding credits needed to graduate, to ensure that at least one guidance counselor is available at every high school for the sole purpose of providing assistance with college applications and financial aid, and to implement a computer tracking system for high school students' progress. Such computer tracking system should, at a minimum, perform the following functions:
1. Create a separate confidential account for each high school student that would be accessible only by the student, his/her parents or guardian, the student's teachers, the school guidance counselors, and school administration;
2. Provide a list of the required courses in order for a student to graduate and the courses the student should take each semester to stay on track for graduation;
3. Enter the student's grades after each six week period;
4. Automatically generate the HOPE Scholarship forms for students that are eligible to receive the scholarship.

Section 2. That the Metropolitan Board of Public Education is further requested to submit a report to the Metropolitan Council at the end of the first six week grading period as to the status of the Board's creation and implementation of the aforementioned students' progress computer tracking system.

Section 3. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Dr. Pedro Garcia, the Director of Schools, and to each member of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Carolyn Baldwin Tucker, Eric Crafton, Vivian Wilhoite