America's Promise Bulletin Vol. 23

Diplomas Count 2010: Graduation by the Numbers - Putting Data to Work for Student Success
With 1.3 million high school students failing to earn a diploma, data-driven strategies have become an essential tool for combating the nation's dropout crisis. The fifth edition of the Diplomas Count report explores how the innovative use of data is driving change in school systems across the country. By profiling efforts under way in four leading school districts, Education Week's journalists delve into early-warning systems that reduce dropout rates by identifying students at risk of failure; consider ways that insights from deep data analysis can result in tailored interventions; and examine how an infusion of federal stimulus dollars can strengthen national and local cultures of innovation built on data. more
America's Promise Alliance Chair Alma Powell testifies before Senate Subcommittee on the State of the Nation's Children
America's Promise Alliance Chair Alma J. Powell testified June 8, in front of the United States Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families. The hearing, titled "The State of the American Child," sought commentary from national experts on the most challenging issues facing today's young people and how Congress and the American public can help solve them. Mrs. Powell joined Jack Lund, president and CEO, YMCA of Greater New York, NY; Harry Holzer, PhD of Georgetown University and the Urban Institute; and Elaine Zimmerman of the Connecticut Commission on Children in providing expert testimony. more
My Idea Grants application deadlines approaching
National Grant applications due June 11
Local Grant applications due June 23
Grants will be awarded to youth for the best ideas to help increase a community's graduation rate. Nationally-awarded $10,000-20,000 grant applications are due today, June 11! The locally awarded $500 - 1,500 grant opportunity deadline has been extended until June 23 for the following cities: Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson, Nashville, New York, Oakland, and Washington, D.C. more
Independent Sector to honor Gen. and Mrs. Powell with the 2010
John W. Gardner Leadership Award
Independent Sector announced this week that it will honor General Colin Powell, America's Promise Alliance Founding Chairman, and Alma Powell, current Chair, with the
2010 John W. Gardner Leadership Award in recognition of their tireless commitment to young people, service and advancing the common good. The award will be presented at the 2010 Independent Sector Annual Conference in Atlanta, October 20-22. The award is named after John Gardner, the founding chair of Independent Sector. more
First Lady and federal agencies launch summer initiative to curb childhood obesity and reading loss
First Lady Michelle Obama and four Cabinet Secretaries, joined Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service to launch United We Serve: Let's Read. Let's Move. this week. The new initiative will urge more Americans to volunteer to combat childhood obesity and summer learning loss among youth. The program is an Administration-wide effort led by the Corporation to expand opportunities to engage young people in summer reading and physical activities as well as provide access to healthy, affordable food. more
National Youth Leadership Council launches new module as part of online service-learning tool
National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) recently launched the newest module in its interactive tool Lift: Raising the Bar for Service-Learning Practice. The second in a series of eight, the reflection module provides educators with resources to help them understand and implement one of the most important aspects of a quality service-learning project. Lift: Raising the Bar for Service-Learning Practice is an online interactive tool built around the eight K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. more
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Weekly News Highlights

Dodd proposes commission to help America's children - June 8, 2010 - Miami Herald

300 Education Jobs Could Be Cut (Video) - CNN - June 10, 2010

Facebook to Promote Internet Safety for Kids - June 10, 2010 - Associated Press

Report: Raise city teacher pay, dismiss poor performers - June 9, 2010 - Baltimore Sun

The Risks of Parenting While Plugged In - June 9, 2010 - New York Times

Fifth-grader from New York raises $60,000 for Gulf oil spill fight - June 8, 2010 - Mobile Press-Register

More Than 1 in 5 Kids Live in Poverty - June 8, 2010 - USA TODAY

The End of 'The Stupid Class' - June 7, 2010 - voiceofsandiego.com