Students who fall under the lowest socioecomic status are the most likely to dropout of high school.  Encouraging these students to finish high school and possibly pursue college is important to their future and the future of our community.  Successful citizens make for a successful community, and that's why College Awareness is this week's Issue At Hand.

Did you know? 

Nearly 3,000 students will drop out of high school this year in Nebraska alone¹. 

On a national level, 77% of all dropouts come from the lowest half of the socioeconomic status distribution².  Students at these low income levels need assistance to make it to graduation and to further pursue college.  It’s important to show these students how education can create positive results in their future lives.

So what’s the first step to promoting a college education?

The most important step is making sure students complete high school.

A combination of tutoring, after-school programs and career counseling give students the help they need to make it through high school and pursue post-secondary education. Tutoring and after-school programs help teens succeed now while career counseling shows them what their future can hold if they continue their education after high school. United Way funded programs operated by Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, Completely KIDS, Girls Inc. of Omaha, and Urban League of Nebraska work hard to show students all of the possibilities so that they can make an informed decision about their futures.

Did you know?

In a 2004 survey of high school seniors and their expected future careers³, 52.7% of students in the lowest income category planned to become professionals. That's a 23% increase over the past 30 years.

When students see the benefits of a college education, they’re inspired to pursue high-level careers. With career exploration and counseling services, students have a higher chance of attending a 2- or 4-year college and meeting their career goals. It's important to make sure all students have the same opportunities for success, no matter their income or background.

So what are local non-profits doing to promote a college education to high school students?

The Whitney Young Academy, operated by Urban League of Nebraska, begins working with students during their freshman year⁴.  The program identifies up to 200 students a year and provides support throughout high school by offering college preparation and exposure.  Students are exposed to Midwest colleges and universities through college visits, particpate in ACT/SAT review courses and scholarship searches, and are given financial management classes to prepare for the financial burden of college.  Many of their students may be the first in their family to attend college and need guidance to know what to expect when applying for and attending college. 

Did you know? 

75% of dropouts never participated in any alternative program such as dropout prevention or job placement assistance².   

Alternative programs can turn potential dropouts around by showing them the importance of education and the career opportunities available to high school and college graduates.  College preparation programs are the first step to higher education and United Way of the Midlands recognizes the importance of providing equal opportunities to all students, no matter their background.  That's why we committed $215,000 to college awareness and preparation in 2012. 

¹ Duggan, Joe.  "Rally draws attention to plight of children." Omaha World-Herald.  12 October 2011.
² Late High School Dropouts: Characteristics, Experiences and Changes Across Cohorts, Publication NCES 2009-307, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education
³ Trends Among High School Seniors 1972 to 2004, Publication NCES 2008-320, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education
⁴ Information is taken from video interviews of staff members and participants of the Whitney Young Academy and Urban League of Nebraska