NORMAL - A public forum of national speakers, including Alma Powell and Ed Rust, will focus on why one in three public high school students drops out of school.

The Illinois Dropout Prevention Summit, planned Wednesday at Illinois State University, is part of a nationwide effort to increase the graduation rate of students.

Powell is chairwoman of America's Promise Alliance, which she co-founded with her husband, former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Rust is chairman and CEO of State Farm Insurance Cos.

Registration remains open for the free event, said State Farm spokeswoman Missy Lundberg.

District 87 and Unit 5 school districts will participate. McLean County's dropout rate was less than 1 percent last year, compared to the statewide average of 4.35 percent.

In addition to the speakers, seminar participants will be grouped by region and led by a trained volunteer to develop a plan to keep their communities' young people in school.

Speakers include Jo Anderson Jr., senior advisor, U.S. Department of Education; Chris Koch, state superintendent of education; Rick Stephens, Boeing Co. senior vice president of human resources; and Elane V. Scott, CEO of Birth2Work.

America's Promise Alliance focuses on making sure children are successful thanks to caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education and opportunities to help others.

Dropout summit

What: Illinois Dropout Prevention Summit

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Illinois State University Bone Student Center, Normal

Register: www.americaspromise.org