Pennsylvania Ready By 21™

Who is PPC?

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children– Advocacy organization– Independent, non-profit– Prevention-focused, research-based

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children is a strong, effective and trusted voice for improving the health, education and well-being of the Commonwealth’s children.

PennsylvaniaYouth Demographics One in 7 Pennsylvanians (1,688,643) is

a young person (age 12-21)– 1 in 3 lives in poverty– More than 12,000 are in foster care– More than 40,000 are in juvenile justice– More than 26,000 teens are mothers– 1 in 50 has limited English proficiency– 14% have a disability

Allegheny CountyYouth Demographics

One in 7 Allegheny County residents (166,000) is a young person (age 12-21)

1 in 3 lives in low-income family More than 1,300 are in foster care (Sept. 2005) More than 4,100 juvenile justice dispositions More than 1,000 births in 2004 in Allegheny

County were to teen mothers (7.6%) Approximately 15% of all students in Allegheny

County have a disability

Pennsylvania Ready By 21™

Ready By 21™ is committed to youth-centered public policies and programs

designed to ensure that all Pennsylvanians aged 12-21 have equitable access to high

quality education and support services that meet their needs and builds on their

aspirations; that prepares them to earn a family-sustaining wage, be active citizens,

lifelong learners, and enjoy healthy physical,

social and emotional health.

Ready By 21™ Research and analysis Mobilization

– Bring stakeholders together – Ready By 21™ Coalition– Discussions with public and private organizations,

policymakers Structured the work into four policy areas --

– Secondary academic success– Positive use of out-of-school time– Career preparation and workforce development– Comprehensive services with linkages to appropriate

health and human services

Alignment with other initiatives

Governor’s Commission on College and Career Readiness

PDE's High School Reform Initiative (Project 720) and Dual Enrollment

Adolescents to Adulthood An education that prepares them for

the rigors of college or a competitive labor market with skills that enable them to earn a family-sustaining wage one day

Avoidance of risky behaviors such as illegal drug use in order to become healthy, well-adjusted adults

Adolescents to Adulthood Strong interpersonal relationships

with friends and family who support their growth and achievements

Strong connections to the community that forge a sense of belonging

The High School Diploma

2 out of 5 urban 9th graders fail to graduate from high school in the same district four years later– 1 in 6 rural 9th graders – 1 in 8 suburban

Graduation Gap

14.7 % of ninth graders in Allegheny County failed to graduate from high school in the same district four years later (2004/05)– 17.8% in Butler County– 17.2% in Washington County– 14% in Westmoreland County

Why is this important?

High school graduates earn three times more than those who did not graduate

College graduates earn six times more Dropouts have higher rates of teen

pregnancy, substance abuse and crime 80% of those incarcerated are dropouts

Why Education Matters

Lifetime earnings are linked to education level. Earnings estimates show the median PA income by educational attainment to be:

(Source: Pennsylvania Workforce Development, 2004 CPS)

$7,800

$25,021

$30,000

$32,182

$62,919

$45,246

$7,800 for less than a high school diploma

$25,021 for high school diploma or GED

$30,000 for some college, no degree

$32,182 for associate’s degree

$45,246 for bachelor’s degree

$62,919 for postgraduate degree

Preparation for college or work

is the same Young people who are preparing for

college or work require a similar foundation.– Same skills– Solid academic skills – especially math and

language arts skills– Appropriate soft skills

Readiness Rate of Grads

Current “Readiness Rate of our high school graduates is distressing --– Statewide, more than 48% of 11th graders are not

proficient in math– Nearly 35% are not proficient in reading

In Allegheny County:– Nearly 41% not proficient in math – More than 29% not proficient in English

Students that do poorly on the PSSA may not be college-ready

High remediation rates for both 2- and 4-year colleges

College Remediation Rates

For entering freshmen, 2000 All students: 28% Public 2-year 42% Public 4-year 20% Private 4-year 12%

(Source: NCES, Remedial Education at Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions in Fall 2000)

College “Drift-out” RatesStudents not returning for year 2 4-year colleges: 26% 2-year colleges: 45%(Source: Mortensen, T.; November 1999. Postsecondary Opportunity as

presented by The Education Trust.)

Of high school graduates nationwide entering four-year institutions, just over six in 10 earn a bachelor’s degree within six years.

(Source: National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, 2006)

Why is this important?

In order to compete in a 21st century global economy, Pennsylvania needs a highly-educated and proficient workforce.

By 2010, the U.S. will have a 12 million qualified worker shortage (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

This will make it imperative that all youth have the skills and education to meet this shortage.

Employment Change by Education; 1992-2002

Source: Employment Policy Foundation tabulations of Bureau of Labor Statistics / Census Current Population Survey data; MTC Institute.

Changing Economic Times “High school graduates must be prepared for a 21st

century global economy. Traditional metrics are no longer sufficient indicators of student preparedness. A more meaningful, ambitious high school reform agenda can only be reached when high schools succeed in preparing every student for today’s global challenges by aligning their improvement efforts with results that matter – mastery of core subjects and 21st century skills.” (Source: Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and G. Thomas Houlihan, exec. director of the Council of Chief State School Officers, in Education Week, May 17, 2006.)

New Participants in the World Economy

• China, India and Russia = 3 billion people• 10% highly educated = 300 million people• USA = 300 million people• 25% highly educated = 75 million• Competition for jobs = 375 million people• USA students/adults will face greater

competition in the future than anytime in history

International CompetitionInternational Competition

Craig Barrett, INTEL CEO 2004

NAEP 2005 Math Assessment

12th Graders Scoring “Below Basic”

• 39 percent of all students

• 60 percent of Hispanic students

• 70 percent of African-American students

Losing Our Edge?Losing Our Edge?

NAEP 2002 Reading Assessment

12th Graders Scoring “Below Basic”

• 27 percent of all students

• 40 percent of Hispanic students

• 46 percent of African-American students

Losing Our Edge?Losing Our Edge?

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational

Progress (NAEP)

How do youth in America stack up?

USA falls near middle of the pack in academic literacy scores of 15-year-olds.

Finland, France, Canada, Poland, Australia and Japan all scored better. (PISA, 32 participating countries, 1999)

U.S. Ranked 24th out of 29 OECD Countries in Mathematics

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RB21 Public Policy Agenda

Adequate and equitable education funding strategy

Assure youth, their families and schools have access to comprehensive health and human services

Sixth-grade early detection system and action for struggling students

Improve guidance and career exploration

RB21 Public Policy Agenda

Enhance professional development for teachers

Promote mentoring programs for youth Model statewide curriculum aligned with

academic standards Standardized, statewide graduation

requirement Expand Project 720 and dual-enrollment

RB21 Public Policy Agenda

Expand afterschool and youth development programs

Build state-level capacity (PDE, IUs) to ensure school leadership

Improve the quality and value of career and technical education

Expand alternative education options Pathways to re-engage out-of-school

youth

RB21 Public Policy Agenda

Conduct a marketing campaign to inform parents, students, education professionals and the community at large about 21st century careers and required education

Ensure access to postsecondary education for all youth

RB21 Next Steps

• Continued Research and Analysis• Expand Mobilization • Implement Strategic Communications

Plan• Policymaker Education and Champion

Recruitment

Bill Bartle

Youth Policy Director

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children

717-236-5680

bbartle@papartnerships.org

www.papartnerships.org