A good education is relevant in pursuing and obtaining a job that can make a positive difference in a person's life. The key in helping develop a person to be productive and a contributing member of our society is in a good education. United Way of Treasure Valley is in the process of identifying what these particular needs are. After these needs have been identified, new partnerships will be developed and added to address some of the roadblocks a person may face in achieving a good education.
In the most recent Treasure Valley Education Partnership study, it was learned that approximately 22%, or nearly one in every four students is not graduating from high school in Treasure Valley. (This information included the students who did not graduate or counted as dropouts in the most current statistics).
Sadly, high school dropouts are several years in the making. We've learned that the foundation for a good education begins in the first few years of a child's life. Unfortunately, there are children who have not had the same advantages as other children. These particular children arrive at school approximately two years behind their peers in pre-reading skills. Many of these children find they are unable to catch up. The goal is for the entire educational process, from birth through the teenage years, to be addressed by our community. High school graduation rates need to improve. We have discovered through research that children are prepared as follows:
- Ready for school with the social, emotional and cognitive skills needed to succeed.
- Reading on track by the 4th grade.
- Transitioning successfully to middle school, and then to high school.
- Encouraged and given the opportunity for post-secondary education and employment.