EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Elizabeth Segarra
Second Grader, Ascension School
Elizabeth loves reading and art and dreams of becoming a veterinarian.
The Challenge
EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL
With only a high school diploma, Veronica found it impossible to find a job let alone one that paid enough for a single parent to raise her family in New York City. Struggling to return to school as an adult, she learned the hard way that an education is essential to getting ahead in life.
As a result, Veronica is determined to give her daughter, Elizabeth, the best education she can afford. With the help of Children’s Scholarship Fund (CSF), she is sending Elizabeth to Ascension School on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
THE BENEFITS OF A SMALLER PRIVATE SCHOOL
Veronica initially chose the school because of its strong curriculum, discipline, and character education. Also, since Elizabeth was shy and an easy target for bullying, Veronica believed she would benefit from the smaller private school setting.
HAPPY AND THANKFUL
And she was right. Now a second grader, Elizabeth has blossomed. She loves reading and art and dreams of becoming a veterinarian. “We are so happy to be part of the CSF family and extremely thankful for all your support,” Veronica recently shared.
Like all CSF parents, Veronica pays part of Elizabeth’s tuition herself – an investment she knows is paying off and will have continued benefits in the long run.
Photo credits: All photos © Alexandra Frumberg
Photo credits: All photos © Alexandra Frumberg.
The U.S. education system is failing many of our most disadvantaged students who are striving to do better.
At the Children’s Scholarship Fund, we expand educational opportunity by providing scholarships to families in need so their children can attend the K-8 schools that best meet their needs, regardless of their ability to pay or where they live. We also support scholarship programs and reform efforts that help all children get the education they deserve.
SUMMARY QUICK FACTS
A LACK OF PROFICIENCY
Despite improvements in reading scores over the past decade, 80 percent of all fourth-graders from low-income families are reading below proficient levels. This is especially troubling since studies have shown that children who are proficient in reading by the end of third grade are more likely to graduate from high school and have higher earnings as adults. [Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation, January 2014]
FALLING BEHIND OTHER COUNTRIES
The U.S. continues to fall behind other countries in international rankings. In 2012, the U.S. came in at 11th in fourth-grade math, ninth in eighth-grade math, seventh in fourth-grade science, and 10th in eighth-grade science. [Source: TIMSS Results, December 2012]
SLIPPING IN THE RANKS
15-year-olds in the U.S. rank 17th in reading, 23rd in math, and 21st in science compared to students in other industrialized countries. [Source: 2012 PISA Results, Released December 2013]
ONLY ONE IN FOUR READY FOR COLLEGE
Despite an annual public investment of nearly $20,000 per student, only one in four high school students in New York City is ready for college after four years and fewer than half actually enroll. [Source: NYC Dept. of Education, November 2013]
ONE IN FOUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DROPS OUT
Nationwide, one out of every four high school students drops out each year – and the numbers are higher for African-American and Latino students. [Source: Education Week, May 2013]
A FUTURE OF UNEMPLOYMENT
High school dropouts are three times more likely to be unemployed and more than twice as likely to live in poverty as high school graduates. [Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2014]