3 out of 10 3 out of 10 students will students will not graduate not graduate from High from High SchoolSchool

69.2%69.2%

Diploma CountDiploma Count

Graduation rates of southern states Graduation rates of southern states seem to be hurting while northern seem to be hurting while northern states are more successful … states are more successful … sometimes as much as sometimes as much as 20% more 20% more effectiveeffective..

What states would you want your What states would you want your child to attend school?child to attend school?

Diploma CountDiploma Count

Probably not Texas …Probably not Texas …

Texas graduation rate is a mere 65.3% Texas graduation rate is a mere 65.3% (compared to the Nation 69.2%)(compared to the Nation 69.2%)

WhiteWhite 75.7%75.7% FemalesFemales 68.9%68.9% MalesMales 61.7% 61.7% HispanicHispanic 56.3%56.3% BlackBlack 52.7%52.7% Amer. IndianAmer. Indian 51.7%51.7%

Of the 65.3% of Texas graduates, 78% of Of the 65.3% of Texas graduates, 78% of those students attend college …those students attend college …

And half of the students who begin college And half of the students who begin college never finishnever finish..

This means that less than 1 in 4 This means that less than 1 in 4 HS students ever attain a HS students ever attain a

bachelor’s degree.bachelor’s degree.

34% of all US 434% of all US 4thth graders & graders & 43% of all US 843% of all US 8thth graders graders scored below basic scored below basic achievement levels on the US achievement levels on the US Dept. of Education’s most Dept. of Education’s most recent national report card.recent national report card.

Adopt National Standards to help Adopt National Standards to help

Children Compete – Chron.comChildren Compete – Chron.com

Among college Freshman, Among college Freshman, 30% need remedial Science 30% need remedial Science and Math classes.and Math classes.

Poverty in AmericaPoverty in America

In 2006, nearly 37 million people In 2006, nearly 37 million people Americans lived in poverty; 12.8 million Americans lived in poverty; 12.8 million were under the age of 18.were under the age of 18.

Is education the cure for poverty?Is education the cure for poverty?

Dosomething.org

Poverty in AmericaPoverty in America

Children of poor families are up to Children of poor families are up to six six times more likely to drop outtimes more likely to drop out than wealthy than wealthy children. children.

School budgets are tied to property taxes, School budgets are tied to property taxes, therefore schools in poor neighborhoods therefore schools in poor neighborhoods often receive about half as much money often receive about half as much money per student than schools in affluent per student than schools in affluent neighborhoods.neighborhoods.

Dosomething.org

EDUCATIONis the

SOLUTION to

POVERTY

But we must be Proactive! From Poverty to Prosperity: A National

Strategy to Cut Poverty in HalfBy The Center for American Progress Task Force on Poverty

Connect disadvantaged and disconnected youth with school and work.

Simplify and expand Pell Grants. Make higher education

accessible to residents of

each state.

http://www.americanprogress.org

In a 2007 report, U.S.15-year-olds ranked 21st among students across 30 developing nations.

Top 20 Countries in Math, Science & Reading

Can you find an American Flag???

On the on the Programme for International Student Assessment, from Adopt National Standards to help Children Compete – Chron.com

Old Glory Old Glory failed failed

to make the top 20 …to make the top 20 …

The study included only 30 countries. The study included only 30 countries.

Chinese students Chinese students spend the spend the

equivalent of 5 equivalent of 5 more years in more years in school than school than

American studentsAmerican students

Math Scores - TIMSS 2007Given to 4th & 8th graders in 58 Countries, Asian students top the TIMSS scores again with the top 5 countries in 8th math being:

1.Tai Pei, China

2.Republic of Korea

3.Singapore

4.Hong Kong SAR

5.Japan

(Trends in International Mathematics & Science Study)

“We know that they (American Students) will no longer just compete for good jobs with children from Indiana, but children from India and China and all over the world.”

-Barack Obama

WE MUST

FOCUS ON BECOMING

GLOBALLYCOMPETITIVE

“The people who are potentially losing their competitive edge are Americans.”

- Robert Keich,

Former US Secretary of Labor

“America is the one country in the world that doesn’t recognize that it’s in competition for the great minds and capital of the world”

-Tim Draper,

Founder, Draper

Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ)

America’s Education America’s Education System is Desperate ….System is Desperate ….and we must recognize and we must recognize the huge need for change the huge need for change

“In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity -- it is a prerequisite.”

- President Barack Obama- President Barack Obama