According to education experts a least half of all high school students in the state's urban school districts are dropping out of school and the rate is highest among blacks, Hispanics, and low-income students. In statistics released by the Intercultural Development Research Center statewide, each graduating class has at least 120,000 fewer students than started high school.

Students throughout Pennsylvania will have the opportunity to learn about aquaculture, food safety, leadership skills and other agriculture-related topics with an investment of $110,000 in 33 youth organizations, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

Young people from communities across the U.S. and Mexico who engage in after-school arts and humanities programs that promote educational achievement and productive lives will be honored at the 2006 Coming Up Taller Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Monday, January 22. Time and location TBD.

SkillSoft PLC, a leading provider of e-learning and performance support solutions, today announced it has been awarded a new five-year contract from the U.S. Army. Under the new competitively awarded contract, the Army will continue to deploy SkillSoft's e-learning courseware and complementary technology to deliver engaging training experiences to personnel located throughout the world.