Achieve Quad Cities 1

The Silent Epidemic: National Impact 7,000 students drop out every day. 1.2 million student drop out annually. Dropouts represent 16% of the U.S. population. High school dropouts will earn, on average, $22,000 less annually than a student who graduated. Source: Alliance for Excellence Education, Americas Promise Alliance, CNN U.S. News, 2

The Silent Epidemic: National Impact (Cont.) Dropouts are twice as less likely to vote or participate in community projects than college graduates. Graduation rates have remained largely unchanged over the past 30 years. The dropout problem is likely to increase substantially through 2020 unless significant improvements are made. Source: Alliance for Excellence Education, Americas Promise Alliance, 3

The Silent Epidemic: Local Impact Every school day, three students in the Quad Cities drop out. Youth who fail to graduate enter the workforce without the necessary skills and developmental growth a diploma represents. This affects their future and the future of our community. Each year, approximately 500 students drop out of high school in the Quad Cities – resulting in a future loss of $250 million to the community, which is replicated each year. Nationally, dropouts are eight times more likely to be incarcerated than high school graduates. Source: U.S. Department of Education, UCLA, Columbia University 4

The Solution: Achieve Quad Cities Achieve Quad Cities is a broad regional partnership working to increase the graduation rate by 5% by Achieve realizes that the important work of increasing the graduation rate cannot be accomplished by a single sector or organization. Achieve is a partnership which develops upon alignment of resources within school districts, chamber of commerce, human service agencies, individuals and businesses across our community and is led by the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend and United Way of the Quad Cities Area. Achieve will keep students in school by introducing them to career opportunities and providing them mentoring support. 5

A Community-Wide Approach In 2006, United Way of the Quad Cities Area developed a new strategic plan, which included a Birth-to-Work agenda designed to prepare youth for school, high school graduation and work. Community Foundation of the Great River Bend board members decided to become more proactive in its community impact work. Based on results of the 2007 Quad Cities Community Vitality Snapshot, the Foundation strategically looked at poverty and the barriers poverty causes. In August 2008, the Community Foundation and United Way joined forces and formed a community partnership focused on improving graduation rates. 6

Achieve Quad Cities: The Goals Youth have a support system that communicates high expectations. Youth have plans for their futures that motivate them to engage in school. Youth experience meaningful exposures to career options in our community. Youth will be equipped for successful employment. Achieve Quad Cities developed four goals that once achieved will increase graduation rates. 7

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How You Can Get Involved Career Navigators Volunteers are needed to mentor students and help them start career exploration and communicate high expectations. This is a minimum one-year commitment. Classroom Presenters Volunteers are needed to give interactive classroom presentations about how they succeed in their field. To be successful, Achieve Quad Cities needs the time and talent of businesses and individuals in our community. Heres how you can create a better, brighter future for at-risk students: 9

Experiential Learning Tour Host Site Host a group tour at your business and teach them about your business. Job Shadows Sign up to have a student shadow you to learn practical knowledge about the workplace. Job shadows last from 2-6 hours. Career Fairs Participate in a day-long career fair and speak to students about your career. How You Can Get Involved (Cont.) 10

Student Internships Host a student intern from hours, so they can learn new skills, understand how to behave in a workplace, and discover their career preferences. To sign-up to volunteer, please contact Jayne OBrien at or How You Can Get Involved (Cont.) 11

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For more information, please contact: Jayne OBrien at or