LifeLongmontLearning.com

USA to receive a grade of C+ in Chance for Success by Education Week's Quality Counts Report.

Education Week's Quality Counts report looks at thirteen key indicators from preschool through high school achievement, as well as family economics and state labor force percentages to factor the overall chance of a student's success in life. This year the nation as a whole received a C+ with an average of 70.6% graduation rate. With almost one in four students not graduating from high school, it is easy to understand why 50% of adults (25-64) earn less than the national median annual income. Furthermore, the number of adults over age sixteen with low literacy skills is on the rise according to a report published in the USA Today. Nearly one in seven adults is unable to read at necessary levels to fill in applications and apply for higher waged jobs.

Lowering illiteracy and poverty rates is simple: finish high school. A student who graduates from high school will earn almost $10,000 more annually, or $800 more a month than a drop out. Those who complete post-secondary training can expect to earn even more.

How can parents help their children beat the national averages? Give them the best start they can in early education. “The two biggest stumbling blocks for students are proficient reading and math skills,” according to tutoring industry expert Larry Schwartz. “Parents should pay attention to any drop in grades that occur in the fourth grade as this is when children transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Lower grades in the fourth grade are a good indicator of reading issues.” Schwartz further notes, “Likewise, students need to have mastered basic math skills by the seventh grade in order to go on to higher math like algebra and geometry, as well as moving forward in science.”

Tutoring Club offers a variety of programs designed to help every student reach full potential.