The United States has long put its faith in education as the great equalizer, the best way for individuals to change their socioeconomic circumstances and pursue their dreams.
Yet, for many individuals from underserved backgrounds, educational pathways toward upward mobility are too often not accessible or even available. Students of color, those from low-income families and first-generation college students continue to face barriers on the way to completing academic degrees and credentials, limiting their ability to secure jobs with family-sustaining wages and advancement opportunities.
Today’s family-sustaining careers can be accessed through diverse educational pathways. By 2020, the U.S. economy will grow from 140 million to 165 million jobs.The majority of these jobs will require at least some education beyond high school: 35 percent of jobs will require at least a bachelor’s degree and 30 percent will require postsecondary credentials or an associate degree. To meet the growing economy’s needs, it is critical that our education system supports all learners in the career pathway of their choice.
Transforming South Carolina’s School Districts through Deeper Learning
The severe inequity of public schools in rural South Carolina along the I-95 corridor gained national attention in 2005 through the documentary Corridor of Shame. With some of the poorest counties in the country, this region has not had a sustainable local industry since the collapse of plantation agriculture. The crumbling schools and lack of support for both teachers and students shown in the film reflects decades of neglect stemming from historical inequities in this majority low-income, African American region. Because of the lack of resources, most students do not receive the education they need to succeed in college and career.
Read the report: ECMC-Foundation-2017-Annual-Report