While many of our students excel in the classroom, too many face obstacles that prevent them from achieving their full potential. As a result, 25-30 percent of students do not graduate on time, including about half of African American and Hispanic students, and the achievement gap between White students and their African American and Hispanic counterparts remains strong.
The nation’s education system is the largest public system for children and youth, touching the lives of nearly every child in the country. And yet, federal policy governing our schools is inherently flawed. Education policy debates tend to focus on such issues as accountability and teacher quality. While these inside the classroom concerns are critical, academic achievement, especially for our most disadvantaged children and youth, will only be improved if we pay equal attention to the challenges they face outside the classroom. First Focus’s education agenda centers on meeting the comprehensive needs of students in order to help them reach their full potential.
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