AT&T Donates For Dropouts
The number of American high school students who drop out without graduating is increasing. To solve this problem and to improve the skills of the nation’s work force, AT&T plans to present a $100 million gift to the program that fights against dropouts.
Yahoo! Finance reports that according to AT&T, the unemployment rate among Americans with less than a high school education in March was 60 percent higher than among those who completed high school.
A recent report by America’s Promise Alliance, a nonprofit started by former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, found that roughly one-third of American high school students, or about 1.2 million people, leave school before graduating.
According to the New York Times, the gift will be distributed over four years and is the largest donation so far.
A recent report by America’s Promise Alliance, a nonprofit started by former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, found that roughly one-third of American high school students, or about 1.2 million people, leave school before graduating.
The paper also quotes Ralph de la Vega, the president and chief executive of AT&T Mobility, the company’s wireless operations, commenting on their decision to combat the dropouts.
“We view it like any other investment we make. It’s an investment in our future as well as the communities in which we work. It’s an investment in our future as well as the communities in which we work.”
Photo: © wallyg
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I would like to obtain information in how to apply to obtain funds a mentoring program in our organization. Long Island Latino Teachers Association or LILTA is a non-for-profit organization which is currently seeking funds to launch a mentoring program to help minority students graduate from high school. This initiative from AT&T represents a great opportunity for LILTA.
Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Cordially yours,
Dr. Nieves-Brull
Treasurer
This money, if used properly, can turn around the painful dropout crisis the US educational system is suffering from. Over 50% of 9th graders are not in the graduation ceremonies for their class 4 years later in most US cities. Dallas only has 41% graduating.
We are slowly turning that number around by focusing students onto their own futures. One middle school as a 3 year old time-capsule and class reunion project that appears to be motivating students to do the required work. The 9th to 10th grade attrition rate has gone down from 40% to 29%! We are well on our way to having the first class in over a decade with a graduation rate over 50%!
Our simple 10-year time-capsule and class reunion project is very popular with students. It appears to provide motivation to keep them in school. Students are told to prepare for their 10-year class reunions when they will not only receive back the letters they wrote to themselves as 8th graders, but they will also be invited to speak with the then current 8th grade classes. They are warned that as they give their “Recommendations for Success” talk they may well be asked questions like “Would you do anything differently if you were 13 again?”
Thinking of answering that simple question in 10 years appears to help students realize how important studies are. Details on this project are at http://www.studentmotivation.org.
This is truly an investment in the society for the betterment of the society. A better community will ensure a better future. So, AT&T has thought correctly to take it as an investment which will bring better results in future.
Please reply with information on how to apply for the Aspire Program or AT&T High School Success Special Grants Program.
We have a non-profit, multi-faceted educational project to help at risk high school students in New Orleans.
Looking forward to your response!
Regards,
Terry A. Braverman
Project Director
Planetary Kidz
hi Terry, this program was announced in April 2008 and I’m not sure whether it is still available now.