Communities In Schools of South Carolina Announces Continued Improvement in Graduation Rates in New Report Released Today

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COLUMBIA, SC – As kids around the country are graduating, Communities In Schools of South Carolina– part of the nation’s largest and most effective organization dedicated to keeping kids in school and helping them succeed in life – today released a report demonstrating the organization’s impact on dropout rates, highlighted by local success stories. The report was released as part of a national public awareness campaign featuring young people from around the country who have graduated from high school as a result of their involvement with Communities In Schools. The report is timely given the 60th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education is coming up this Saturday, May 17.  While we have come a long way, still, the 20% who did not make it to graduation are disproportionately students of color, and need continued support to reach the goal of equal access to education.  (Download the full report and infographics at http://www.cissouthcarolina.org/who-we-are/publications)

“Each year in South Carolina, nearly 25% of our high school students drop out of school. Tackling our state’s dropout crisis and providing students a pathway to a successful future is the very core of our mission.” said David Smalls, State Director of Communities In Schools of South Carolina, in the new report, entitled Changing the Picture of Education in South Carolina. “We recognize the value of a comprehensive approach to education by providing integrated services that address the student’s academic and non-academic needs. The reality is that South Carolina will succeed when those at greatest risk can stay in school and achieve success.”

“Each year in South Carolina, nearly 25% of our high school students drop out of school. Tackling our state’s dropout crisis and providing students a pathway to a successful future is the very core of our mission.” said David Smalls, State Director of Communities In Schools of South Carolina, in the new report, entitled Changing the Picture of Education in South Carolina. “We recognize the value of a comprehensive approach to education by providing integrated services that address the student’s academic and non-academic needs. The reality is that South Carolina will succeed when those at greatest risk can stay in school and achieve success.”

According to the new report, Communities In Schools of South Carolina achieved the following during the 2012-13 school year:

• 19 elementary schools, 16 middle schools and 13 high schools, combined schools and alternative schools were served.
• Approximately 24,307 students were served by  Communities In Schools of South Carolina; 21, 597 of students received Level One supports (school-wide prevention services) and 2,710 of students received Level Two supports (targeted and sustained interventions).
• 97 % of seniors receiving targeted and sustained interventions (and for whom data were available) graduated.
• 94 % of the students in grades K-11 who received targeted and sustained interventions (and for whom data were available) were promoted to the next grade.

The report also features interviews with: Wallace Thompson, Executive Director, Communities In Schools of Chester County.  Sheila Motes, Site Coordinator, Duncan Chapel Elementary School, Communities In Schools of Greenville.  Erica Lawer, student and alumni of St. John High School and Communities In Schools of Charleston.

To raise awareness about Communities In Schools, a public awareness campaign is running nationwide, featuring short videos by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris and photos by renowned photographer David Harriman.  These videos and images are online at communitiesinschools.org.

Communities In Schools of South Carolina is part of the national Communities In Schools network, which operates in more than 2,200 schools in the most challenged communities of 26 states and the District of Columbia.  Working closely with school districts and partner organizations, Communities In Schools serves 1.3 million young people and their families each year.  Based directly inside schools throughout the country, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to basic and critical educational and community-based resources, tailored to each student’s specific needs.  Learn more about Communities In Schools of South Carolina at cissouthcarolina.org.

Changing the Picture of Education in South Carolina is one of more than two dozen Communities In Schools reports being released around the country today in time for graduations.