AT&T Awards $400,000 to the Institute for Student Achievement for High School Dropout Prevention
Grant supports successful efforts in New York City to increase graduation rates and increase teaching effectiveness
Lake Success, New York (Vocus/PRWEB ) June 12, 2009 -- The AT&T Foundation has awarded $400,000 over four years to the Institute for Student Achievement (ISA) to address the high school dropout crisis. The award, from AT&T's High School Success Special Grants Program, represents an acknowledgement of the strong positive results ISA's work is generating in New York City high schools and nationwide.
The AT&T High School Success Special Grants Program targets organizations that increase on-time grade promotion and high school graduation rates, and improve grades and test scores for students at the greatest risk of dropping out.
ISA's creation of small, academically rigorous high schools to replace large, failing schools has yielded a 91% ninth grade promotion rate, a 87-92% attendance rate and has dramatically increased graduation rates. ISA schools--often in the most challenging areas where graduation rates have been as low as 35% --have graduated as many as 90% of their seniors with nearly 90% of those graduates going on to college.
AT&T's grant, the only award to a New York-based education nonprofit organization, will provide $100,000 a year for four years beginning in 2008, to assist ISA in implementing its high school reform model in New York City public schools. The organization currently serves 18,000 students in 80 partner high schools in five states. Twenty-eight ISA high schools serve more than 9,000 students in New York City.
The students in ISA partner high schools are those at highest risk for underachieving and dropping out: 73% qualify for the federal free and reduced price lunch program; the overwhelming majority (81%) are African American or Hispanic, 9% are English language learners and 11% are special education students. ISA students earn 32-38% more credits than comparison 9th and 10th graders. The Academy for Educational Development (AED), ISA's external evaluator, reports that ISA 11th graders are three times more likely to be promoted to 12th grade as their cohorts in comparison schools.
"This is a very meaningful acknowledgement from the AT&T Foundation that our students are achieving academic results that will prepare them for a bright future," said Dr. Gerry House, CEO and president of ISA. "All American students deserve an excellent education, the opportunity to go to college, and the kind of challenge and support that will help them turn aspirations into reality. AT&T's award is an investment in our greatest national resource, our young people, and the world they will create."
ISA partners with schools and districts to transform underperforming public high schools using a research-based educational framework that has been proven to greatly improve student achievement. Students benefit from a dedicated team of teachers and counselors that provide them with academic, emotional and social support. Faculty and administrators benefit from on-going coaching and professional development.
"Investing in the educational success of our youth is one of the most important things we can do here in New York City," said John Jefferson, Vice President AT&T External Affairs, New York City. "We are pleased to work with the Institute for Student Achievement to prepare today's students not only for the workforce of tomorrow, but success in life."
ISA believes that rigorous preparation for success in college - academically, socially and emotionally - is also the necessary preparation for success in life. This focus on college preparation and success is reflected in the theme of ISA's Summer Institutes this year: Preparing All Students to Be College-Ready. Dr. House emphasized the focus on teacher and leadership development throughout the ISA network: "ISA's Professional Development Institutes run year-round and will be supported, in part, by AT&T's generous contribution. Our next Summer Institute - in Stamford at the end of June - will have 500 educators focused on what it means to be college ready and how to embed those concepts in all of our classrooms. This is critically important work and we thank AT&T for recognizing the importance of training teachers for effective, academically rigorous instruction."
About ISA (Institute for Student Achievement)
ISA (Institute for Student Achievement) is a high school transformation organization that uses a proven, research-based educational framework to transform underperforming public high schools into rigorous and supportive learning environments. ISA schools, often located in areas where graduation rates have been as low as 35%, have been able to increase their graduation rates - some to 90% with nearly 90% of those graduates continuing on to college. ISA has 80 partner schools in five states, serving 18,000 students. For more information contact us at (516) 812-6700 or visit www.studentachievement.org.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine's lists of the World's Most Admired Companies and America's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.
Contact: Laura deBuys
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Mobile 914.720.8875
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