Contact: Catherine Malinis (503) 234-5404 ext. 21 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(November 11, 2008)
U.S. BANK DONATES $20,000 TO THE PORTLAND SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
U.S. Bank Steps Forward to Support the Connected by 25 Initiative
(Portland, OR) –U.S. Bank/U.S Bank Foundation donated $20,000 in support of the Ninth Grade Counts program and the Connected by 25 Initiative. U.S. bank has been a supporter of the efforts of the Portland Schools Foundation since 1996.
1,500 youth were identified as “early strugglers” in Portland Public Schools, David Douglas, Centennial, and Parkrose School Districts. Last summer 250 of these youth were engaged in Ninth Grade Counts summer pilot programs to better prepare them for a successful 8th to 9th grade transition. US Bank’s gift will go towards evaluating last year’s Ninth Grad Counts pilot program, as well as implementing improvements to the 2009 summer program.
In Portland last year over 1,300 students dropped out of high school, and many who did graduate were not adequately prepared for college or work. In the face of this daunting reality, Portland is being recognized nationally for innovative approaches to addressing these problems. Ninth Grade Counts focuses on the difficult transition from 8th to 9th grade. Research suggests a successful 9th grade school year is a strong indication that a student will graduate.
The Portland Schools Foundation serves as convener for this community-based initiative which is a collaborative community effort by 35 local corporations, nonprofit organizations, foundations and advocacy groups to increase the number of Portland youth graduating from high school and prepared for post-secondary education and employment by age 25.
The Portland Schools Foundation is an independent, community- based organization that mobilizes ideas, capitol, leadership, political support to ensure a first-rate public education for every child, in every school, in every neighborhood.
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For more information about the Ninth Grade Counts summer program or the Connected by 25 Initiative please contact Catherine Malinis at (503) 234-5404 or email Catherine at cmalinis@thinkschools.org
