March 15, 2010

Arlington, Va. - Communities In Schools President Daniel J. Cardinali applauded President Obama’s blueprint for updating the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. 

 “The President’s ambitious goal that all children should graduate from high school prepared for college and a career is a bold step toward building a more just and more prosperous America.  Every young person, no matter who they are or where they come from, has the potential for success, and we as a nation have an obligation to help them realize that potential. 

We applaud the President’s blueprint for updating the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to include provisions that support comprehensive and integrated academic, health, and social service programs that improve the education and lives of children.  This comprehensive and integrated approach is at the foundation of the Communities In Schools model, and has been proven to increase graduation rates and overall student achievement.

For more than 30 years, Communities in Schools has been working in partnership with states and local school districts to increase graduation rates.  We look forward to bringing our experience, our national network, and our proven model to meet the President’s bold goal.”

Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school-based coordinator, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources, tailored to local needs. Working in more than 3,400 schools in the most challenged communities, in 25 states and the District of Columbia, Communities In Schools serves nearly 1.3 million young people and their families. Communities In Schools has become the nation's leading dropout prevention organization, and the only one proven to both decrease dropout rates and increase graduation rates.

Visit our website at www.communitiesinschools.org.