Related Campaigns

• Cradle to Prison Pipeline^® Campaign

  
  The Cradle to Prison Pipeline campaign is a national and community crusade to engage families, youth, community leaders and institutions and those in power in every sector in the development of healthy, educated children. The Campaign advances policies that put children on track to productive adulthood and opposes those that criminalize children at younger and younger ages.

Action Alert

Secure the Future - Invest in Every Child

In the richest nation on earth, 9 million children are without health coverage and more than 13 million live in poverty. We must demand that our leaders commit to helping children as a condition of our vote.

Take Action Now!

Related Staff

Dr. Bert L'Homme Education Policy Director and lead coordinator for the Cradle to Prison Pipeline® Crusade

Related Programs

• CDF Freedom Schools^® Program

Elementary & High School Education

About seven of every 10 fourth graders in our public schools cannot read at grade level. Though minority children are most seriously affected, with 86 percent of Black fourth graders, 83 percent of Latino fourth graders and 80 percent of American Indian/Alaska native fourth graders not reading at grade level, our schools are also failing a significant proportion of White children, 58 percent of which fourth graders are not reading at grade level. Reading proficiency is essential for mastery of virtually all other subjects. Those unable to read well are at high risk of grade repetition and dropping out of school, with this risk particularly high among Black children, who are almost twice as likely to be retained in grade and 50 percent more likely to drop out of school than White children. School dropouts also are at higher risk of being funneled down life paths leading to arrest, conviction and incarceration.

Low levels of school completion have lifelong economic implications. The median income for adults 25 years of age and older with less than a high school diploma is about $14,000. This contrasts sharply with a median income of some $20,000 for those with a high school diploma.  For those with a bachelor’s degree, median income rises to about $41,000, or almost three times the income of those without a high school diploma. Attainment of at least a high school diploma is the single most effective, preventive strategy against adult poverty.  Yet the U.S. has the sixth lowest high school graduation rate among the 30 industrialized countries that are OECD members.

We must not leave any child behind. A first crucial step will be adoption of an ethic of achievement and high expectations for every child in every home, congregation, community and school. To help each child to reach his/her full potential and to succeed in work and life, we need to ensure our schools have adequate resources to provide high quality education to every child.  Higher levels of educational achievement and school completion will yield benefits far beyond those to the individual children and youth. They are imperative if our nation is to be well poised to compete successfully in the global economy.

Priorities for Children in Education Reform

With the President's announcement of a renewed focus on education reform with the release of the FY 2011 budget, the Children's Defense Fund is eager to ensure that the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) adequately addresses the needs of our nation's most vulnerable children.  On January 29th, the U.S. Department of Education convened a gathering of early learning experts and advocates to gather input as the Obama administration prepares to reauthorize ESEA.  Dr. Cathy Grace, Director of Early Childhood Development, spoke at the gathering on behalf of the Children's Defense Fund. Dr. Grace asserted that reform must ensure adequate and equitable funding for young and disadvantaged children.

The current formula used to allocate education funding for low-income and disadvantaged children (known as Title I funding) favors wealthy states and large school districts.  As a result, many smaller school districts that serve high concentrations of poor students are being shortchanged. The Center for American Progress just released a report, titled "Bitter Pill, Better Formula," which explains the inequitable funding formula, and proposes a new, more fair approach to providing adequate resources to our nation's most vulnerable students.  To read Dr. Grace's remarks on priorities for children in education reform, click here. 

Analysis of the Obama Administration's Budget Request

The Obama Administration's budget request for the fiscal year 2010 signals a new national commitment to children, families and America's future. The policies and funding changes proposed make clear that the President understands that investing in children now will ensure a more stable economy and a healthier, more competitive workforce for the future.

The budget makes new and increased investments in education to improve the nation's schools and prepare and reward effective teachers and principals. It also takes important steps to better the lives of children and families by continuing some of the investments included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), such as expansions of the What Works and Innovation Fund.

To better understand what the budget proposals mean for children, CDF has provided an overview of the budget, broken down by issue area, and provides information on some areas where more attention is needed. Read more about CDF's analysis of the President's budget request.

New Data on Education

In December 2008, CDF released its State of America's Children 2008^® report that includes a compilation of the most recent and reliable national and state-by-state data on various issues including "Education" and "Are Our Children Ready to Compete in the Global Arena?" sections. These section includes data on how America ranks among industrialized countries in investing in and protecting children, reading and math achievement of 4th graders and 8th graders, pupil/teacher ratio, average freshman graduation rate, expenditures per pupil, school discipline, children and youths in federal education and disability programs, and enrollment in classes for students with mental retardation, emotional disturbances and learning disabilities.

CDF Freedom Schools^® Program

Created in 1995, the CDF Freedom Schools program provides summer and after-school enrichment through a model curriculum that supports children and families around five essential components: high quality academic enrichment, parent and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, intergenerational leadership development, and nutrition, health and mental health. In partnership with community-based organizations, faith institutions, municipalities, schools, colleges and universities, the CDF Freedom Schools program boosts student motivation to read, generates more positive attitudes towards learning and connects the needs of children and families to the resources of their communities. Learn more about the CDF Freedom Schools program. 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Education Resources Available in Your State and Community

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama helps alleviate the stress on families and communities by investing in improvements for a range of needed services and supports, including services for education. Learn what is available in your state and community and how to use these funds to invest in elementary and high school education by visiting the Education section of our guide, The New Economic Recovery Law: Resources to Help Children and the Economy.