Childhood and Youth Success in Education
A strong education is the foundation for a better future.
At United Way of Greater Stark County, we know that when a child succeeds in school, we all win. Children who are prepared to enter school and receive high-quality early education are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, earn a higher income, and ultimately, provide a better future for their families. Our educational priorities focus on childhood success (ages 0-8) and youth success (ages 9-21). Join the fight and help us to ensure in a brighter future for generations to come.
OUR VISION
We envision a community where all children enter school ready and are successful in primary school, and where our youth gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials to obtain family-sustaining employment.
COMMUNITY CHALLENGES
Many Stark and Carroll County residents
face ongoing educational challenges
THE RESEARCH TELLS US
How we invest in solutions
why it matters
Childhood success
In the early years, parents and caregivers are their children’s first teachers. Once children enter school, those with engaged parents are more likely to earn good grades, finish high school, and exhibit fewer behavior problems. Yet some parents and caregivers may need assistance and support to effectively serve these roles. Therefore, a variety of parent/caregiver programs, tools, and resources have been developed to address this need.
Children who enter school with early skills are more likely to experience later academic success and life success. The essential domains of school readiness include reading and language development, basic knowledge of math and science, an interest in learning, physical well-being, and emotional and social development.
Reading on grade level at the end of 3rd grade is critical for students. For many children, literacy supports are an important component to help ensure they reach reading proficiency on time. It is especially important as children progress from the primary grades (K-3 or approximately 5-9 years old) where the focus is on learning to read, and 4th grade and beyond, where the focus is on reading to learn. Without effective reading, writing, listening, speaking, and comprehension skills, students will be at-risk for long-term school success.
YOUTH SUCCESS
Potential employers also report difficulty finding qualified applicants to fill entry-level positions. Ensuring that youth earn the necessary education (higher-education or industry-recognized credential), training, and skills necessary for success in the workplace can help prevent disengagement and also re-connect those who have already disengaged.
Students who drop out and do not graduate from high school/secondary school are more likely to be unemployed, live in poverty, and be incarcerated. They are also more likely to rely on public benefits and to earn significantly less income over their lifetime.
A critical step to being able to support oneself and a family is gaining stable employment. For youth, finding a job can be a daunting challenge. They must determine what careers are available, what their interests are, and what skills they have or need to develop. This is especially true for disconnected youth who are neither working or in school and may have critical gaps in their education and/or lack job relevant skills.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Childhood success outcomes
- Developmental milestones: Percent of children (0-5) served who achieve developmental milestones
- Kindergarten readiness: Percent of children served who are proficient on school readiness assessments when they enter kindergarten
- Reading level: Percent of children (K-3) served reading at grade level
- Attendance: Percent of children (K-3) served who maintain satisfactory or improve school attendance
youth success outcomes
- Graduation: Percent of youth served who graduate high school on time
- Post-secondary employment: Percent of youth served who gain post-secondary employment, further education, or credentials
- Employment: Number of youth (ages 15-24) served who gain employment
- Grades: Percent of middle school, high school youth served who earn passing grades in core subject areas
- Attendance: Percent of elementary/middle/high school youth served who maintain satisfactory or improve school attendance
- Soft skills: Percent of middle/high school youth served who develop soft skills
- Enter high school: Percent of youth who transition from middle to high school on time
