News

Witten Takes Steps to Decrease Dropout Rates in Texas

By Jason Witten SCORE Foundation October 21, 2009


Every hour 93 students drop out of Texas schools …According to the East Texas Review. Close to one-third of all high schoolers in Texas will fail to graduate. When asked the reason for their decision to drop out, many students cite “disinterest in classes”. 
 
Dallas Cowboy Star Jason Witten is one of the top tight ends in the NFL and is putting up numbers that will be worthy of entrance into Canton, OH.  As a five time pro-bowler, Witten has drawn up a game plan to confront this enormous educational problem. First, reach students before they step on a high school campus. Second, help students become passionate about their future.
 
First play – Locate a program designed to help students discover their purpose. Former Dallas Cowboy, Kenyon Coleman (currently with the Cleveland Browns) informed me about a youth curriculum that was created by Team Chaplain of the Oakland Raiders, Dr. Adam Ybarra that is specifically designed to help students maximize purpose. The innovative program is Raising Expectations Standards and Honor 180 (RESH 180).
 
Second play – Adopt a School and implement the RESH 180 program. Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation located Bowman Middle School in East Plano, Texas where a number of students struggle academically and may be at-risk of not completing high school.  
SCORE – Witten’s Foundation believe the game plan will decrease the number of students dropping out of school.   SCORE will be working closely with the Bowman administration to monitor student’s progress. Incidentally, the RESH 180 program commenced this October.   

Witten understands the reason why many students are disinterested in classes …they do not know or feel a purpose in life. When describing purpose, it’s not from a rhetorical perspective or clichés i.e. give 110 percent; follow your dreams; never give up. Rather, it’s providing a new lens for students to comprehend and see themselves through a life of purpose. When students believe in their purpose, it activates interest in their personal, social, educational and career pursuits. 
 
The SCORE Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 corporation. It is funded entirely by Jason and Michelle Witten and through the generous contributions of individual donors and corporate partners.