WE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUCCEED
From preschoolers to high school students, United Way of Central Ohio is working to ensure that the next generation is equipped with the skills to succeed in school and in life.
Our work is designed to intervene early to prevent the kinds of problems that cause children to fail and to provide the resources necessary to encourage our youth to remain productive and engaged.
We are working to maximize early learning so our children enter kindergarten prepared for school and we are working to make sure more of our youth graduate from high school well-prepared for their future.
DID YOU KNOW?
- In 2007-08, the graduation rate from Columbus City Schools was 73.9%. In 2008-09, the graduation rate was 72.9%. The state requirement is 90%.
- In the 2008-09 school year, 10th grade students in Columbus City Schools had passage rates of 75.6%, 68.6% and 53.6% on Ohio Graduation Tests (reading, math, and science) compared with 83%, 80.4% and 73% for students statewide.
- High school dropouts are far more likely to commit crimes and be incarcerated than those with more education.
- 85% of a child’s capacity to learn is established by age 5. Research shows that nurturing in the earliest years is critical for emotional, social, and intellectual development.
- Economically disadvantaged children enter kindergarten 1-2 years behind in language and other skills important to school success.
- $1 invested in early childhood care and education saves our community as much as $7 to $17 in future remedial instruction, welfare and prison costs.
Community Results
Children will enter kindergarten physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively ready to succeed
Bold Goal: Increase the percentage of young children entering kindergarten in Franklin County public school districts who score in the top two screening categories of the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment – Literacy (KRA-L) from 71% to 85%.
Youth graduate from high school well-prepared for additional learning and productive careers.
Bold Goal: Increase the percentage of students who graduate from high school in Franklin County public school districts from 87% to 95%
