Education

United Way works to end Russell and Washington Counties education crisis

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 Goals

Increase the number of children entering kindergarten ready to succeed.

Children learn best in loving, nurturing relationships and through everyday experiences. It is these essential connections that hard-wire the brain for future learning, especially in the early years. Whether children are at home, with relatives or friends, or in childcare, the quality of early experiences is key to later school success. United Way of Russell and Washington Counties in partnership with Smart Beginning Virginia Highlands are leading initiatives to improve the quality of childcare, family support, early intervention and public awareness activities to equip parents to make the best choices for their families. Currently, 19% of children entering kindergarten in Russell and Washington Counties, and the city of Bristol Virginia do not pass the Pals-K test.

Increase the number of high school graduates with plans to attend college.

High school graduation plays a major milestone on the path to successful adulthood. Over their lifetime, high school graduates earn 74% more than those who drop out. High school graduation is the single most powerful predictor of whether a young person coming from generations of poverty will break the cycle. Although Russell and Washington County both have minimal dropout rates among high school students, the number of students with plans to continue their education beyond high school are alarming. Currently, almost 30% of high school graduates in Russell and Washington Counties have no plans to attend a two or four year college after graduation.

United Way of Russell and Washington Counties is beginning work to combat this crisis through partnerships dedicated to ensuring that more high school graduates are completing high school with plans to further their educational attainment by attending a two or four year college.

OUR EDUCATION STRATEGIES:

High school students are 12 years in the making, usually starting early childhood education behind schedule. United Way's model 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 and by focusing on children entering school ready to succeed, reading proficiently by 4th grade, making a successful transition to middle school, and graduating from high school on time with plans to attend college.