Welcome Rawlinson Road Middle School Parents and Faculty

• We have a dropout crisis …..

• South Carolina has one of the lowest graduation rates in America

• You are being called to be part of the solution and an advocate for the best education in the world

The Problem

• 10,000 teens drop out of high school every day

• Almost 1/3 of public high school students nationwide

• Nearly one half of all African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans

• Dropouts earn $1 million less over a lifetime than college graduates

The Problem cont’d• 3 times more likely than college graduates to be

unemployed

• 4 out of every 10 young adults (ages 16 – 24) lacking a high school diploma received some type of government assistance

• Dropouts are more than 8 times likely to be in jail or prison than a person with at least a high school diploma

• Studies show that the lifetime cost to the nation for each youth who drops out of school and later moves into a life of crime and drugs ranges from $1.7 to $2.3 million

A Probable Solution

• There are no simple solutions to the dropout crisis

• TEENS first need a one on one relationship with a caring adult

• Create an initiative that inspires students to go the distance

• Collaborate with other Organizations and Institutions

A Probable Solution cont’d

• “Friend of the delinquent boy”

• “Optimists bringing out the best in kids”

• This crisis presents a unique opportunity for Optimists, parents and educators

• A dropout intervention initiative

• Optimists will need the support of parents and other organizations

Strategic Partnerships

• The SUCCESS Foundation

• Communities in Schools

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

• Sylvan Learning Centers

The SUCCESS Foundation • Founded in 2008, The SUCCESS Foundation encourages today's

teens to become tomorrow's achievers.

• Their mission is to provide youth with personal development resources that inspire them to reach new levels of achievement

• SUCCESS Foundation is committed to helping teens develop skills to reach their full potential.

• Committed to distributing 10 million SUCCESS for Teens™ books and CDs to youth

Communities In Schools (CIS)

• CIS provides the link between Optimists and the schools

• Leading community-based organization helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life

• 27 states, 3,200 schools

• Bringing outside resources into schools to meet the needs of kids at risk

Big Brothers Big Sisters

• Provides training for mentors

• Performs the background checks

• Matches the little with the big

• Follow up on a weekly basis

• Represents the big in the event of a claim of improper conduct

Sylvan Learning Center

• Performs the California Achievement test

• Designs a specific remedial course based on diagnostics

• Can bring the student to perform at grade level and above

• A history of proven success

Youth Empowerment Service….YES

• Foundation of Y.E.S. initiative is based on the book, SUCCESS For Teens

• The book is based on the SLIGHT EDGE philosophy, created by Jeff Olson

• Optimists, parents and educators would serve as facilitators of the book in eight sessions

• Optimists and parents would serve as mentors and Tutors

The Tools

Pilot Programs

• Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools• Midwood High School• East Mecklenburg• Independence• Rocky River• West Charlotte• Jail North and Central High

Schools for boy and girls

Boone North Carolina• 33% of Watauga High School

students don’t graduate.

• Approved as part of the curriculum in Watauga Schools

• The Boone Optimist Club with the

Appalachian State University College Optimist Club…

Present SUCCESS for Teens™

in school during the day….

What Teens are Saying• “ I feel like have the ability to do anything that

I put my mind to.”

• “I know I have what it takes to become anything that I want in life.”

• “I learned that I can create any life I want by taking little positive steps everyday.”

• “Thank You for taking the time to help me realize that I can have a successful future.”

The Need

• Many new Optimists are needed

• College Optimist Clubs

• New Clubs

• Friends of Optimists

Conclusion • “The dropout crisis isn’t just an education issue

it reflects the failure of the adult community.”

• “Educators need help from concerned adultsdelivering the services at the schools.”

• “This nation cannot rightfully expect to lead the 21st century’s information and technology driven global economy when upwards of 30% of our young people not even graduating from high school”

-Thomas Donohue, President & CEO, US Chamber of Commerce

How to Get Started • Pick up FREE copies of the books

• Learn how you can be a part of the YES initiative At Rawlinson Road Middle School

• Join a Rock Hill Optimist Club to serve the youth of our community.

• Organize a College Optimist Club in York County

• Go TO : www.optimistsc.org

YES Count me in!

• As you leave tonight, please provide your name and contact

information if you are interested in learning more about becoming a

facilitator, mentor, tutor or a member of a Rock Hill Optimist

Club

Thank You