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Education Success

To thrive, central Iowa youth need to be academically successful and have a plan for their future.

Success in school is key to a bright future.
Students can take many paths after high school, including post-secondary education, career training, or work.  It all starts with a diploma.

What’s the challenge?

As the workplace evolves, there is a pressing need to equip young people with core content, technological competencies, soft skills, and awareness of environmental and community issues to succeed in school and in the workforce.

But despite society’s increased need for an educated, skilled workforce, many young people lack access to the resources, support, and opportunities necessary for college and career readiness, with deep inequities based on ability, geography, income level, race, and other factors.

EDUCATION SUCCESS IN CENTRAL IOWA

  • 26%
    OF CENTRAL IOWA GRADUATES DO NOT HAVE A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

    1 in 5 low-income individuals do not receive adequate prenatal care.

  • 24%
    OF CENTRAL IOWA STUDENTS ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT

    Chronic absence is defined by missing 10% (18 days) or more a school year.

  • 63%
    OF CENTRAL IOWA CHILDREN ARE PROFICIENT IN READING IN THIRD GRADE

    Third grade reading proficiency is considered a crucial milestone in a child's education because it marks the transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn."

  • 1000+
    CENTRAL IOWA STUDENTS ARE HOMELESS

    According to the Iowa Department of Education, there were more than 1,000 homeless students in central Iowa at the start of the 2023-24 school year.

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Our Strategies

  • Improve student success for K-12
  • Increase student access to quality, culturally relevant activities/programs to promote learning, positive social emotional wellness, and reduce school absences for students K-12
  • Promote successful transitions into and out of middle school
  • Increase student access to career exploration, activities, and awareness
  • Increase high school students who graduate with a plan for the future
  • Advocate for policies and practices to improve Education systems and provide equitable access to central Iowa youth