Multi-platform Event Features Local and National Programming, Partners, and Celebrities Focused on Improving High School Graduation Rates in America
New York, NY, 鈥�Communities In Schools announced today that it will be one of more than 20 organizations 听across the country participating in American Graduate Day on Saturday, September 22, 2012. Presented by and Public Radio Exchange (), American Graduate Day is a multi-platform event featuring a live television broadcast, radio playlist with premiere documentaries, and participation from national partner organizations, celebrities and athletes to spotlight solutions to the nation鈥檚 dropout crisis in which one in four students do not finish high school.听 American Graduate Day is part of the public media initiative, , made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
鈥淎s part of American Graduate Day, public television and radio stations are working in their local communities to help people understand the impact of the dropout crisis and create champions from the community to help students stay on the path to a high school diploma,鈥� said Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of CPB. 鈥淎merican Graduate Day will use all of public media鈥檚 platforms 鈥� on-air, online and in the community 鈥� to tell this story and focus on local organizations and community responses that are working through parents, teachers, students, and business and community leaders to make a difference in the lives of these young people.鈥�
In a segment moderated by ABC News Correspondent JuJu Chang, WNET will showcase Communities In Schools and the work it is doing on a community level to help students stay on track to graduate. 听The following individuals will participate in the live segment, highlighting the ways Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
- 听Communities In Schools President Dan Cardinali
- 听Communities In Schools Board Chairman Elaine Wynn
- 听Communities In Schools of Philadelphia Alumna Rasheedah Phillips
- 听Communities In Schools of the Charleston Area Site Coordinator Jean Rebecca
With special guests including PBS NewsHour senior correspondent Ray Suarez, the national television broadcast will air live on public television stations from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST on Sept. 22 (check local listings) and the Communities In Schools segment will air starting at 4:30 p.m. EST. 听Public television stations representing more than 50 percent of U.S. households will broadcast American Graduate Day with many including local content alongside the national features.
鈥淲e are honored to partner with American Graduate Day to raise awareness of a crisis that is affecting so many of our nation鈥檚 young people,鈥� said Dan Cardinali, president of Communities In Schools.听 鈥淭hrough this partnership, we look forward to educating more Americans on the proven solutions available to communities across the nation.鈥�
Viewers will be able to participate in the broadcast by asking questions and sharing ideas before and during the broadcast on using the #AmGrad hashtag and on . Those interested in becoming an American Graduate Champion can also call in at 800-313-2477or log on to to find out more about the national and regional organizations and how to help in their hometowns.
Among the national organizations that will participate in the broadcast are After School All-Stars, , , Boys & Girls Clubs of America, , , , , , , , , , , , , Teen Film Making, , and the of the USA.
Following American Graduate Day, the focus on education will continue听throughout the week.听 Programming on听the听PBS NewsHour听willfeature several American Graduate Day segments, including a panel discussion and a segment about the challenges of keeping Williston, North Dakota students in school as their area struggles with an oil boom. The documentaryFRONTLINE Dropout Nation听will air on听September 25, and the World Channel is producing a week of education programming inspired by American Graduate Day. Public radio stations will continue their broadcasts from the PRX American Graduate Day Playlist throughout the week as well.
is helping local communities identify and implement solutions to the high school dropout crisis. American Graduate Day demonstrates public media’s commitment to education and its deep roots in every community it serves. Beyond providing programming that educates, informs and inspires, public radio and television stations – locally owned and operated – are an important resource in helping to address critical issues, such as the dropout rate.
In addition to national programming, more than 75 public radio and television stations have launched on-the-ground efforts working with communities and at-risk youth to keep students on-track to high school graduation. More than 800 partnerships have been formed locally through American Graduate Day, and CPB is working with Alma and Colin Powell鈥檚 America’s Promise Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.