Graduation data

The State released newly calculated graduation and dropout rates earlier this week. This marks the first time that the state has used the 4-year cohort method, a method that will be used by all states and thus lend some consistency to data reporting. It is also the first time that the State has been able to track students moving in and out of districts, as well as those obtaining GEDs, as a result of the new Single Student Record Database.

The Detroit News headline was: Michigan Graduation rates: 25 Percent Don't finish in four years

The Detroit Free Press stated: New formula yields good news on Detroit graduate rate (new calculations show that to be 58% - a number below previous state estimates but well above numbers coming out of recent national studies).

One of UWSEM's prime agenda items is that of keeping kids in school and seeing that they graduate. To support this effort, the UWSEM Research Department will be doing a thorough analysis of the data for schools in our region.

One of the other important components of the new data is the ability to look at graduation rates by race, ethnicity and gender. Studies have long shown racial/ethnic achievement gaps and many United Ways across the country have made a goal of reducing those gaps - Dane County being the preeminent example.

I took a look at statewide statistics on graduation rates by race/ethnicity and gender and the gaps are both startling and disturbing (see attached Powerpoint chart: Graduation%20Gaps.ppt). Among the findings:

• Males graduate at lower rates than females for all race/ethic groups
• African American males have the lowest graduation rate of any subgroup - 48.4 percent - and show the biggest difference with their female comparison group
• African American females have a higher rate (64.8%), but are second lowest among females (the Hispanic female rate is 63.5%)
• Hispanic males have the second lowest graduation rate at 52.3 percent
• Asian and Pacific Islanders have the highest graduation rates for both males and females, just ahead of whites
• Native Americans and students identifying themselves as Multi-Racial fall between the extremes

The high school graduation initiative is critical for our region. As Lou Glazer of Michigan Future Inc, says of our state and our region - "We must get younger and more educated or get poorer." Helping to increase graduation rates and decrease the gaps is an agenda that we must all get behind.

Kurt Metzger
Research Director, United Way for Southeastern Michigan
kurt.metzger@LiveUnitedSEM.org

Tiffany Beaudry, Alternative Spring Break 2008 Detroit alum

Tiffany Beaudry, Alternative Spring Break 2008 Detroit alum, is featured in this month's issue of United Way Students in Action. The national e-newsletter provides highlights, updates, volunteer opportunities, information on campus engagement programs like Student United Way and Alternative Spring Break, and job postings across the country for young adults.

I enjoy impacting people’s lives in positive ways through giving my time. ASB (Alternative Spring Break) has given me the opportunity to be a team leader which helps me show others the importance in giving back and life-long volunteering. It is really neat to see the ASB volunteers bring this back to their own community and improve the areas they live in. I impact my community through mentoring a little girl in efforts to help her reach her potential. Read more.

To sign up for the e-newsletter, email geny@unitedway.org.

Region leads in falling home values

Over the past several years, homeowners in Southeast Michigan have been feeling the effects of decreasing home values. The glut of unsold homes -- many put on the market as the result of job loss and a subsequent move out of this region – coupled with the foreclosure crisis, have served to drive down the value of our homes. Homeowners who must sell are finding that they cannot get out of the house what they still owe, unless they have been in the house for a number of years or made a large down payment at the outset. Property tax bills, while showing a decreasing assessed value, are often still going up thanks to the Headlee Amendment. This is seen as “adding insult to injury” and homeowners, as well as legislators, are fighting to make sure taxes cannot increase unless assessments increase as well.

Click here to read more.

Find out where your dollars go

Ever wondered about the impact your United Way contribution is making in the community? Find out at our second town hall meeting on August 27 from 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. The meeting is geared toward leadership givers and will focus on our work in Financial Stability. You'll have the opportunity to learn more about two of our newest initiatives, The Center for Working Families and the Alliance for Economic Inclusion and how they are helping families learn to save and build assets so that they can move toward financial independence. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today.

To RSVP, e-mail Tiffany.Chaney@LiveUnitedSEM.org.

Millions in unclaimed tax credits await metro Detroiters

More than 67,000 people in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties still haven’t claimed their Economic Stimulus Payment (ESP). This amounts to more than $20 million that residents in our region are entitled to. United Way and the Regional Asset Building Coalition (RABC) are working hard to ensure people claim their refunds and bring important assets to our region.

Read more.

Sign Up to Make an “IMPACT” Around Metro Detroit TODAY!

For many of us, making a long-term commitment to volunteer can be an overwhelming task.

That’s one of the many reasons United Way for Southeastern Michigan has teamed up with Panera Bread® of Southeast Michigan to encourage area residents to get out and spend just one Saturday morning making a difference around metro Detroit.

The joint program, called “Impact Your Neighborhood,” is a regional initiative aiming to build stronger communities. The program offers one-time volunteer projects on Saturdays in September, October and November. Volunteers can sign up for just one event or all three!

Prior to each project, a designated Panera Bread location will host breakfast and an informational session for volunteers. Volunteers will also receive a complimentary T-Shirt and a Panera Bread catered lunch upon project completion.

Let’s reiterate that: You have the opportunity for FREE food, a FREE shirt and you’re making a difference. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the following cities are participating in the program: Bloomfield Hills, Dearborn Heights, Grosse Pointe, Southgate, Sterling Heights and Waterford.

Volunteer projects include:
Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Vista Maria. Up to 25 pre-registered volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Dearborn Heights Panera Bread, located at 26580 Ford Rd. Volunteers will then travel to Vista Maria (in Dearborn Heights) to assist with outdoor beautification tasks and picnic with the residents.

Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at LightHouse PATH. Up to 15 pre-registered volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Bloomfield Hills bakery-cafe located at 2125 S. Telegraph Rd. Volunteers will then travel to LightHouse PATH (in Pontiac), where they will participate in a reading and craft activity with mothers and their children.

Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Gleaners locations in Detroit, Pontiac, Warren and Taylor. Up to 25 pre-registered volunteers per site location will travel to Gleaner’s where they will sort and pack food items that will be delivered to homeless shelters and other non-profits in need. Volunteers will meet at the following Panera Bread bakery-cafes at 8 a.m.:

Gleaners of Detroit: Grosse Pointe bakery-cafe at 17150 Kercheval Ave.
Gleaners of Pontiac: Waterford bakery-cafe at 5175 Highland Rd.
Gleaners of Warren: Sterling Heights bakery cafe at 36808 Van Dyke Ave.
Gleaners of Taylor: Southgate bakery-cafe at 13665 Eureka Rd.

To sign up for a project, visit http://www.iliveunited.org/, or call (313) 226-9200. Volunteers must register to participate in a project.

After completing a project, volunteers will have the opportunity to let their voice be heard – through guest blog posts and photo and video sharing.

Remember: Space is limited, so sign up today and let’s get ready to make an IMPACT!

United Way’s Scholarship for Youth In Transition

Today, nearly 1200 children in Macomb County live in foster care. National statistics indicate that nearly 35% of those end up aging out of the system. A child is less likely to be adopted and more likely to age out once they turn 14. To date there are about 400 children over the age of 14 that are part of the foster care system and roughly 60 of those age out each year and are left with very limited resources to be successful adults.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan has partnered with Macomb County Community College and the Department of Human Service to create a scholarship program specifically designed to assist those that transition out of foster care. This Scholarship program will provide resources for youth to develop financial independence through education.

To learn more click here. [PDF]

The Greater Detroit Venture Fund

The Greater Detroit Venture Fund was created to incentivize school turnaround efforts in high schools with graduation rates of less than 60% for three consecutive years. The Fund will financially support partnerships between high schools and proven educational intermediaries, that will result in them working together to create small, personalized learning environments. These types of environments will be strategically designed to include critical elements identified by Mass Insight Education & Research Institute as essential for creating high-performing schools in high poverty environments.

Learn more at www.OneD.org.

United Way Receives $1 Million from AT&T To Support Local Schools

PRESS RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Cara I. Belton
313-226-9484 or 313-520-8454
or
Laura L. Rodwan
313-226-9484 or 313-477-2750
United Way for Southeast Michigan

Joe Steele
313-223-9759
AT&T

Grant will support Greater Detroit Education Venture Fund

DETROIT, August 4, 2008 – AT&T (NYSE:T), today announced a $1 million contribution to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan Greater Detroit Area Venture Fund. The Venture Fund was created to support school turnaround efforts in high schools that have low graduation rates, based on best practices that have proven effective in other cities nationwide.

"We're pleased to present United Way with the largest gift we’ve ever given of this kind in Michigan," said Gail Torreano, president of AT&T Michigan. "We are proud to be a catalyst for the Venture Fund, and hope AT&T’s contribution will inspire many more companies and individuals to come forward and contribute to support our local students who are the future leaders in Michigan."

The launch of the Venture Fund is an example of United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s commitment to becoming an impact-driven organization in order to better meet the needs of the communities it serves. The Fund is a $10 million initiative to transform high school education in the region.

“As part of our re-alignment into a community-impact organization through the Agenda for Change, United Way will continue to take the lead in unprecedented, innovative work throughout the region,” said Mike Brennan, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "Through the generosity of AT&T, we will lay the groundwork for long-term success in turning around southeastern Michigan’s low-performing schools.”

Currently, there are 2,000 high schools in America that have graduated less than 60% of their freshmen class for three consecutive years. More than 30 of those schools are located in Southeastern Michigan.

The Venture Fund’s purpose is to turn around the low graduation rates at high schools in the region with dropout rates of 40 percent or higher.

The Venture Fund will financially support partnerships between high schools and proven educational intermediaries working together to create small, personalized learning environments.

In April 2008, AT&T unveiled the “AT&T Aspire” program through which the company and the AT&T Foundation will commit $100 million over the next four years toward high school success and workforce readiness initiatives.

With more than 12,000 employees in Michigan and over 300,000 employees worldwide, AT&T is uniquely positioned to take on this challenge and lead the way in supporting students and schools in our local communities. By focusing on education and workforce readiness, AT&T is looking beyond today, because our nation’s prosperity depends on investing in and supporting the next generation.

United Way president and CEO Mike Brennan accepted the $1 million gift from Torreano on the first day of a two-day school turnaround forum, “Conversations with Intermediaries,” held at Lawrence Technological Institute in Southfield. Representatives from AFT Michigan (AFL-CIO), the Skillman Foundation, and other corporate and community partners are at the forefront of this effort, and are providing generous support to The Venture Fund.

After acknowledging AT&T’s contribution, Brennan expressed the continued need for education reform in our community. “Now, more than ever, the success of the region in the 21st century will require a renewed commitment to a culture of achievement in our schools and communities.”

Greater Detroit Education Venture Fund Funding Partnerships for Turnaround Schools Q & As

What is the Venture Fund?
The Greater Detroit Education Venture Fund (“the Venture Fund”) was created to support eligible school turnaround efforts in high schools that have low graduation rates. These turnaround efforts are based on best practices that have proven effective in other cities nationwide.

The Purpose of the Venture Fund IS NOT:

• to create charter schools
• take over schools
• to break up unions
• limited to schools only in the city of Detroit

Where did the idea for the Venture Fund originate?
A recent Johns Hopkins study identified 78 high schools in Michigan (more than 30 of which are in Southeastern Michigan) as “dropout factories,” meaning that less than 60% of the students graduated with their class for at least three years in a row. Yet since 2001, a wave of urban high school transformation efforts has swept across the country, and some cities and intermediary organizations have shown amazing results.

Who is involved in the Venture Fund?
The AT& T Foundation, the Skillman Foundation and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

Why has the United Way for Southeastern Michigan created the Venture Fund?
The issues facing families and individuals in our communities have become greater in number and more acute. As a result, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan is changing the way it does business in order to meet the needs of the communities it serves. The Venture Fund is a part of that change. United Way’s shift in function and focus is an agile, swift response to rapidly changing community needs, including the area of education.

How is United Way changing the way it is doing business?
United Way has implemented its Agenda for Change and is transforming into an impact-driven organization seeking to create measurable and lasting change in the areas most critical to the well being of Southeastern Michigan communities. The Agenda’s three impact areas are:

• Educational Preparedness
• Financial Stability
• Basic Needs

What is role of United Way in the Venture Fund?
In addition to creating the Venture Fund, United Way will act as its fiduciary, marking a non-traditional role and progressive approach by the organization. As part of its re-alignment into a community-impact organization, United Way will continue to take the lead in unprecedented, innovative work throughout the region.

What is the goal of the Venture Fund?
The Fund will financially support partnerships between high schools and proven educational intermediaries working together to create small, personalized learning environments.

Why the need?
There are 2,000 high schools in America that have graduated less than 60% of their freshmen class for three consecutive years—and more than 30 of those schools are in Southeastern Michigan. The schools listed below have been invited (via school district leaders) to submit a School Turnaround Proposal.

How will the funds be allocated?
Grants up to $80,000 per year per small high school (500 students or fewer) or $320,000 per large high school (1,500 to 2,000 students) will be made to support comprehensive turnaround efforts. Grants are renewable for up to five years based on annual performance objectives. Funds will be paid directly to the intermediaries identified by the school.

Will the Funds go directly to the schools?
No. Funds will be paid directly to the intermediaries identified by the school.

Which schools are eligible?

Academy for Business and Tech.	East Detroit	Osborn
Cass Technical	Ecorse	Pershing
Central	Finney	Pontiac Central
Chadsey	Hamtramck	Pontiac Northern
Cody	Hazel Park	Redford
Communication & Media Arts	Henry Ford	River Rouge
Cooley	Kettering	Southeastern
Davis Aerospace	Lincoln Park	Southwestern
Denby	Melvindale-Northern Allen Park	Van Dyke Lincoln
Detroit School of Industrial Arts	Northwestern	Western International

What is an eligible intermediary?
An educational intermediary is a non-profit organization that partners with a school district to help its leadership and teachers improve student achievement. Intermediaries eligible for funding must have a proven record of improving student achievement and graduation rates in high poverty high schools, as measured by an external evaluator.

What is the strategy behind the Venture Fund school turnaround efforts?
Other cities have shown that urban school districts, union leadership, and community members can transform large, failing high schools into smaller, successful ones. The purpose of the Venture Fund is to incentivize those partnerships and best practices to turn around schools in Southeastern Michigan. This includes the following key components:

• Changing Conditions
  Conditions in the lowest-performing schools must be changed so that school leaders have the authority to make decisions in the best interests of the students. Changing conditions also means being accountable for increased achievement rates.
• Increasing Capacity
  Increasing capacity means that one lead external partner (or “intermediary”) works with the school district and school staff to implement proven school turnaround and student engagement strategies.
• Creating Clusters
  To be effective, school turnaround cannot occur in small, isolated pockets. School leaders and teachers involved in turnaround need both collaboration and competition.

What are the criteria that indicate success in school turnaround efforts?

• If a school’s district office is supportive of the turnaround efforts.
• The school has a plan for effective site-based management.
• The school has selected a partner with a proven record of improving graduation rates.

There have been failed efforts in the past. How is this different?
In the last few years we have begun to see the development of successful strategies for improving low graduation rates throughout the country. The strategies will create the foundation for change in our failing schools. In addition, The Venture Fund is unique in that labor and school leaders, as well the corporate and philanthropic community, are working together to tackle this critical issue.

About United Way for Southeast Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Campaign and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.uwsem.org.

About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2007, AT&T contributed more than $164 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T, combine more than $1.9 billion of historic charitable commitment to communities across the country.

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 and the nation's leading wireless, 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 its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America’s Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. 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.

© 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss.