Keeping PACE Act to Deliver Support Services to Keep Kids in School
Alexandria, VA – First Focus applauds the introduction of the Keeping Parents and Communities Engaged Act (PACE) by Sen. Edward Kennedy yesterday. By helping parents to play an active role in their children’s education and improving support services for students, the bill offers an important tool in the fight to keep kids in school.
“Over one million high school students drop out of school each year, and the resulting economic and social costs are staggering,” said Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus. “By strengthening a community’s investment in the education of their children, the Keeping PACE Act will help at-risk kids develop a support system that will provide them the help they need to stick with it and earn a diploma.”
Importantly, the Keeping PACE Act would amend the No Child Left Behind Act to help strengthen community and parent involvement in education. As an advocate for strengthening graduation rates and increasing student achievement by meeting the needs of young people both in and outside the classroom, First Focus has made the enactment of the Keeping PACE Act a top priority in its legislative agenda.
Research shows that students are more likely to achieve in school when they are supported by their parents and the community. The Keeping PACE Act provides resources to put a full-time coordinator in schools whose sole job is to connect students and their families with the support they need to be successful in school, including health care, after school programs, mentors and tutors. The bill also provides funding to help schools partner with community-based organizations in linking existing services with students’ particular needs. Further, it encourages schools to become neighborhood centers for students and families.
“This bill will make the No Child Left Behind Act a more effective law,” said Lesley. “The future of our economy, but more importantly, the future of our democracy, depends on having young people who are well educated and inspired to succeed. Raising graduation rates is a goal every Senator can support and First Focus asks them to show their support by co-sponsoring the Keeping PACE Act.”