
As part of our strategy to cut the high school dropout rate, United Way has put a stake in the ground around education, challenging the nation to cut in half the number of high school dropouts by 2018. But United Way cannot do it alone. We want individuals and institutions to give, advocate and/or volunteer to improve education.
Research shows that connecting caring adults with kids (especially disadvantaged kids) to bolster reading and academic skills and to believe in themselves can help children and youth do better in school. Reading skills support learning in general, and research shows that attendance, behavior and grades improve with high quality mentoring and tutoring.