For more information, contact: Audrey Chang On Behalf of AT&T (202)295-8779
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AT&T HELPS VIRGINIA STUDENTS THROUGH JOB SHADOWING, LAUNCHES $250 MILLION PROGRAM TO BOOST GRADUATION RATES WITH FOCUS ON INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY
Virginia Organizations Urged to Compete for Program Funding OAKTON, VA MARCH 19, 2012 – As access to skilled workers becomes increasingly vital to the U.S. economy, AT&T today hosted 50 students from Tuscarora High School in Leesburg to help them understand the connection between school and the workplace. AT&T also announced the launch of a new $250 million, 5-year financial commitment aimed at helping more students graduate from high school with the skills they need to succeed in college and careers. The funding for AT&T Aspire – already among the most significant U.S. corporate educational initiatives, with more than $100 million invested since 2008 – will be available for organizations and institutions with a proven track record of success that are looking to use technology to connect with students in new and effective ways. Between now and April 27, 2012, AT&T is encouraging Virginia organizations to apply for funding through the Local High School Impact Initiative Requests for Proposals (RFPs). “AT&T Aspire works toward an America where every student graduates high school equipped with the knowledge and skills to strengthen the nation’s workforce,” AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson said while announcing the extended commitment during a keynote address at the second annual Building a Grad Nation Summit. The Washington, D.C., event convened by America’s Promise Alliance (http://www.americaspromise.org/), Civic Enterprises (http://www.civicenterprises.net/home.html), The Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University (www.every1graduates.org/), and the Alliance for Excellent Education (http://www.all4ed.org/) brings together nearly 1,200 U.S. leaders to discuss progress and challenges in ending the high school dropout crisis.
“This is a significant investment in preparing the next generation of Americans to succeed in the increasingly competitive global economy,” said Mike Schweder, president of AT&T Mid Atlantic. “We hope organizations across Virginia with a passion for dealing with this problem and a proven track record of success in increasing graduation rates will apply for funding.” The new and expanded AT&T commitment builds on the work AT&T Aspire has completed in the last four years. AT&T has invested more than $100 million in Aspire since 2008, and has impacted more than one million U.S. high school students, helping them prepare for success in the workplace and college. AT&T is looking to fund local programs that have strong, evidence-based practices grounded in the What Works Clearinghouse Dropout Prevention: A Practice Guide and data-driven outcomes demonstrated to improve high school graduation rates. Virginia organizations interested in getting additional information or applying will find complete details on the RFP process at www.att.com/education-news by clicking on the “Aspire Local Impact RFP” option. Applications will be accepted between now at April 27. The new and expanded AT&T commitment builds on the work AT&T Aspire has completed in the last four years. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have invested more than $100 million in Aspire since 2008 – and more than $923 million since 1984 in education. The Virginia Aspire investment has amounted to $540,660 since 2008. Organizations that have benefited include Communities In Schools of Virginia and local Boys and Girls Clubs in Danville and Suffolk. Drop-out rates are a serious issue in the United States. According to a report issued today by Civic Enterprises, the Everyone Graduates Center, America’s Promise Alliance and the Alliance for Excellent Education, one in four students in the U.S. – more than 1 million each year – drops out. (AT&T is the lead sponsor of this report.) Virginia has seen a 1.9 percentage increase in 2009 graduation rates, compared with data from 2002. Education experts believe that the lack of a high school degree significantly worsens job prospects, particularly in the challenging science, technology and math sectors. On average, a high school dropout earns 25 percent less during the course of his or her lifetime compared with a high school graduate and 57 percent less than a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree.1 Although the problem is serious, there are signs of progress according to the report issued today: The high school graduation rate increased by 3.5 percentage points nationally from 2001 to 2009. In 2001, the rate was 72.0 percent; by 2009, it had risen to 75.5 percent. From 2002 to 2009, six states experienced large gains in their graduation rates; 14 states made moderate gains; and four states made modest gains (Note: 2002 was the first year that state data became available.)
1
“The College Payoff,” Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce [August 2011]
Links
Web Site Links: Supporting education: AT&T Aspire The AT&T Foundation Related Releases: VCU Team "Rams" Complexity From Cloud Technology to Win International Innovation Challenge AT&T and United Way Release Family Engagement for High School Success Toolkit Related Media Kits: Wireless Networks AT&T Aspire
Related Fact Sheets: AT&T Aspire: Helping Students Prepare for the Future
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AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. ® It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.
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