The Challenge

EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Elizabeth Segarra
Second Grader, Ascension School

Elizabeth loves reading and art and dreams of becoming a veterinarian.

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.

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]