CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION
The progress of youth from primary to secondary to postsecondary education and beyond remains an area of critical concern. In a highly technological, knowledge-oriented stage in the global arena, opportunities for young people are increasingly governed by success along an educational pathway. We have witnessed significant disparities among different demographic groups of young people with respect to their success and advancement in education. We know the earnings of those who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree vastly outpace those who have not. America’s global competitiveness depends upon educational advancement on a mass scale, particularly in science and math.
Early childhood education and socioeconomic status usually define the nature of a child’s progression along a pathway. Movement across educational segments is cumulative. Success in early grades often positions young people for greater access and success in the long run. Access to higher education has been a major concern in philanthropic, nonprofit, and policy circles. However, postsecondary completion has emerged as a central concern.