Did You Know?

Each additional high school graduate in the United States means a net economic benefit to society of $127,000.

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Our Children Need Hope. Our Children Need You.

We know about the need for whole child education. We hear about it in the news: "achievement gap," "cyber-bullying," "dropout rates," "school violence," "narrow curriculum," "childhood obesity." We know that schools and families can't do it alone.

We also know that it matters. We know that social and emotional learning increases academic achievement. We know that high school graduates vote more, contribute more wages to the economy, commit fewer crimes, and use fewer public health resources. We know that high school graduation is a minimal definition of excellence in education.

Our children need hope. Our children need you. Thirty organizations are now partners in the Whole Child Initiative. What about you? Have you pledged your support? Have you spread the word? Have you had conversations to engage others in ensuring that children in your community are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged? Our children deserve it. Our future demands it.

» Research looks at the arts-makes-you-smarter question and Social and Emotional Learning Matters! were the best of the blog in March 2008. Learn more, do more, and be heard as you advocate for a whole child education—share your thoughts and comments as you track news. Join the conversation!

Real Stories

"Our district and building goals address the whole child—not just academic goals driven by standardized test score results. Our efforts at reaching and teaching the whole child are driven by our efforts to walk the talk of our vision... [We do this through] partnerships with Boys and Girls Club; coordinating immunizations, vision screening, free dental care, and education...; purposeful work with Developmental Assets—and providing for those assets for students who need caring adults via mentoring programs; an emphasis on character development for students (and modeling by adults); and Pursuing Victory with Honor for our athletics program."

—David L., Port Orchard, WA
Click here to comment on David's story and read many more.

» Expect More. Get More.

“I see artists imagining solutions to 21st-century problems. Creativity is important to every sector of Wisconsin's economy.”

—Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton
Click here to visit our Policy Blackboard and see more quotes from policymakers.

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