Why Foster Care Students In Seattle Are Beating The Odds

The ecosystem of D.C. charter schools that has evolved over the last two decades represents a cornucopia of creative and nontraditional approaches to education, in addition to fairly traditional college-prep schools, and is now producing some of the highest graduation rates, college acceptance rates, and average test scores in public schools in the nation.

Schools in Adamawa State are increasing the number of female teachers, which is inherently increasing the number of female students attending school. Previously, over 50% of girls in the area had not been in school, or dropped out, but with the increase of female teachers, the number of girls in school has dramatically increased.

The KNOSK secondary school is working to reduce the number of out-of-school youth in Nigeria by providing students with a quality education for a daily fee much lower than other school options. The school offers various payment plan options and gives the students uniforms, lunch, and sanitary products.

The Campus Babe Initiative helps girls in Nigeria who are not attending school because of teen pregnancy get back in school. The initiative provides financial support, school materials, and information. It also holds informational workshops to help prevent teen pregnancies.

Educational Talent Search provides personalized college and career counseling to first-generation and low-income students. Counselors work with students from 8th grade through high school graduation, offering one-on-one support with college applications, financial aid forms, scholarship searches, and career planning. The program has seen nearly 90% of seniors enrolling in post-secondary education, far above its 56% target.

Tat Sat Kasasa Secondary School (TaSKA) is making education more accessible, affordable and inclusive for youth in rural communities, particularly young girls. As of March, TaSKA serves 120 students, 64 of which are girls. Along with education, the school also provides meals, medical care, extracurriculars and access to financial services to create a holistic educational experience.

Lumen High School enrolls pregnant and parenting teens, providing a “learn-as-you-go” approach to learning that makes it possible for them to parent and stay in school. The school provides full-day child care, free baby supplies, mental health counseling and other supports to help get students to graduation day. All the Lumen High School students who graduate have been accepted into college, with 95% enrolling or choosing to start working within the six months after graduation.

The Access Project in London recruits volunteer tutors in science, math, and technology fields to help young women build confidence in their STEM courses. The project also works to spread educational resources and tutors to underprivileged areas throughout London and the Midlands.

High school students in rural areas show lower rates of college degrees and have fewer opportunities such as not having a dual enrolment program that allows them to take college courses while in high school. Ohio Appalachian Collaborative involves rural schools working together to fight for grants and opportunities for the students in rural areas, and so far the statistics show that more students are going to college and are more engaged in high school.

Far too many students in Philadelphia are not successfully completing their university degrees. A new program at Community College of Philadelphia involves high school freshman taking the equivalent of two years of college courses to obtain an associate's degree, while also obtaining their high school diploma. The hope is that this will encourage students to go on to complete their university degree.