Communities In Schools of North Carolina Announces Continued Improvement in NC Graduation Rates in New Report Release Today

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Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (1888PressRelease) May 15, 2014 - As kids around the country are graduating, Communities In Schools of North 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 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. (Download full report and info graphics at http://www.cisnc.org/images/uploads/blog_resources/NC_Changing_the_Picture_Report_Final_5_14.pdf.)

"We use research-supported practices and evidence-based interventions, but at the heart of our mode, it is the one-on-one relationships formed with students - this is what makes great things happen for kids of all ages," said Eric Hall, President and CEO of Communities In Schools of North Carolina. "We have to meet the kids where they are and provide them with hope, care and vision of what the future could be. When we do, the results are amazing."

Every 26 seconds, a young person in America drops out of school. When students drop out, they are more likely to end up in poverty, suffer poor health, be dependent on social services, enter the criminal justice system and cost the U.S. billions of dollars each year in lost revenue and increased spending on government assistance programs. To change the picture in North Carolina, Communities In Schools is serving approximately 215,000 of students on 441 campuses this year, working hand in hand with schools, communities, partner organizations and families to surround students with a strong network of support.

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

•187 elementary schools, 107 middle schools and 103 high schools were served.
•Approximately 215,000 students were served by Communities In Schools of North Carolina across 44 counties; 196,558 of students received Level One supports (school-wide prevention services) and 19,139 of students received Level Two supports (targeted and sustained interventions).
•97% percent of seniors receiving targeted and sustained interventions (and for whom data were available) graduated.
•96% percent 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:
Jamal Tate, a graduate from Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Rashaud Trice, a graduate from Communities In Schools of Durham
Jacinta Blair, Student Support Specialist, Communities In Schools of North Carolina in Rockingham County
Tina Wilson, Manager of Corporate and Citizenship and Corporate Affairs for IBM and Chair, Communities In Schools of North Carolina Board of Directors
Eric Hall, President and CEO of Communities In Schools

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 North 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 North Carolina at www.cisnc.org.

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

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