United Way of Washington County Funding Goals for Education
Helping children and youth achieve their potential through educational readiness.
Problem Statement
Washington County students do not fully school ready and prepared for consistent academic advancement toward college and career readiness.
Goal Statement 1:
By June 30, 2021, increase the number of Washington County students in evidence-based collaborative programs entering school ready to learn by at least 7% from the current rate testing scores.
Goal Statement 2:
By June 30, 2021, school-age students enrolled in evidence-based programs will consistently advance academically by at least 7% as measured/demonstrated through Washington County Math and Literacy test results. Note: measures will be based upon current elementary level testing (e.g., Lexile, RIT).
2-3% will be the annual incremental goal for education-related goals.
See Community Impact & Investment Goals & Strategies for more information related to the FY19-21 Community Impact Funding Goals.
United Way Worldwide Goals
United Way works to end America’s education crisis
Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. But with more than 1.2 million children dropping out each year, America faces an education crisis. The cost? More than $312 billion in lost wages, taxes and productivity over their lifetimes.1 These trends are reversible, but only when communities and public, private and nonprofit sectors work together.
Our Goal
In 2008, United Way Worldwide launched a 10-year initiative to cut the number of high school dropouts in half by 2018. It’s an ambitious goal, but by utilizing our core strengths — a national network, committed partners and public engagement capacity — we can achieve it.
Our Strategy
We can’t focus on high school alone. High school dropouts are 12 years in the making, usually starting early childhood education behind schedule. United Way's model focuses on supportive communities, effective schools, and strong families — strategies and approaches rooted in research. Tackling the education challenge requires reframing education on a birth to 21 continua.
How You Can Help
To reach our goal, we need your help. The strategies proven to work are those that connect communities to their schools: parent involvement; literacy volunteers in the classroom; mentors for disadvantaged students; business leaders engaged in early childhood advocacy. Volunteer to help.
1Figure according to Communities in Schools, one of America’s leading drop-out prevention partnerships.