Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. But with more than 1.2 million children dropping out each year, America faces an education crisis. The cost? More than $312 billion in lost wages, taxes and productivity over their lifetimes.* These trends are reversible, but only when communities and public, private and nonprofit sectors work together.
Our Strategy
High school dropouts are 12 years in the making, usually starting early childhood education behind schedule. United Way focuses on supportive communities, effective schools and strong families — strategies and approaches rooted in research. Tackling the education challenge requires reframing education on a birth to 21 continuum.
How You Can Help
To reach our goal, we need your help. The strategies proven to work are those that connect communities to their schools: parent involvement; literacy volunteers in the classroom; mentors for disadvantaged students; business leaders engaged in early childhood advocacy. Learn more about UWSLOC's programs in education:
*Figure according to Communities in Schools, one of America’s leading drop-out prevention partnerships.