Our children are the future. Their education and preparedness for the workforce will be determinants of that future. Too often, today's at-risk youth are disconnected from both school and work because of familial, academic and economic challenges they face every day. A recent study found a major reason students drop out of school is because they do not see a correlation between academics and the challenges of their lives. Junior Achievement is a solution provider and help to bridge that gap.
1.3 million students failed to graduate from high school last year, and 15 million more will join them by 2020. Given these startling statistics and the impending consequences, dropout prevention has become a national priority. Too often, today's at risk youth are disconnected from both school and work because of familial, academic, and economic challenges they face every day.
Over 300 students in Massachusetts and New Hampshire will receive a sound understanding of the principles of what it takes to start and run a business. An investment to teach them now about entrepreneurship will pay off in terms of a more robust workforce for tomorrow. JA helps bridge critical gaps in students' understanding of business practices and entrepreneurship, as financial literacy programs are not mandated to be delivered in the MA and NH public school systems.
In a national survey conducted by JAUSA, 76% of responding students stated that JA programs encouraged them to stay in school. Teachers (95%) & volunteers (92%) report that students who participate in JA have a better understanding of how the real world operates. Both teachers and volunteers agree that JA students work together better as a team and are more capable of making group responses.
