Afternoon announcements: High school dropouts cost the economy billions

Citing the Alliance’s research on the economic cost of high school dropout rates, this feature article looks at the U.S.’s economic need to graduate more students ready for college and a career. Associated Press

Come Monday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will announce a new initiative that will extend kindergarten to a full day in all of the city’s public schools. The current system allows schools to choose whether to meet the by-law minimum of a half day. Chicago Sun-Times

Education Secretary Arne Duncan participated in today’s Building a Grad Nation Summit. In his remarks, he announced a $15 million grant over three years that will place AmeriCorps volunteers in underserved schools around the nation. Politics K-12

Are public schools the new charter schools? A growing trend shows urban public schools are rebranding themselves as accessible charter schools. Education Week