IEA: Youth & Education
Education is the key to giving all children a chance to understand and solve the complex challenges of the world. Children need a relevant, high quality education to prepare them to participate in their own development and in their communities. If a child lacks a good education, they will also lack the necessary tools to be an active and effective citizen. Of the children that do have the benefit of schooling, many find themselves squeezed onto crowded benches in classrooms that look like abandoned basements, lacking such basic elements as a chalkboard, while a teacher drills lessons by rote. In addition to creating the opportunity for all children to attend schools, we must also focus our attention on improving what goes on inside the classroom.
Education is the foundation of a free and fulfilled life. It is the right of all children and the obligation of all governments.
-The Convention on the Rights of Children
Fast Facts:
- Child poverty in America dropped from 13.5 million children in 1998 to 12.1 million in 1999, according the U.S. Census Bureau. The decline is a positive step, but there are still 12 million children in America living in poverty-there is still much work to be done (Children's Defense Fund, '00)
- An estimated 500,000 to 1.5 million U.S. young people run away from or are forced out of their homes per year-an estimated 222,000 are homeless and living on the streets (ACF Press, '99)
- 11.3 million U.S. children are without health insurance (CDF, '99)
- 37% of Michigan 4th graders read at a below basic level (NAEP, '98)
- About 75% of the nation's children are writing below their grade level (Dept. of Ed)
- Low-income schools have Internet access in 39% of instructional classrooms, compared to about 70% of high-income classrooms (national Center for Education Statistics, '00)
- 26% of 12-grade students have used illicit drugs in the previous 30 days (childstats.gov '99)
- Girls are sexually abused three times more often than boys (NCCAN)
- Public school teachers in high poverty schools are more likely to report that student misbehavior interfered with their teaching than were teachers in low poverty schools.
Moments for Michigan Children (CDF, '00):
Every 18 minutes a baby was born into poverty.
Every 12 minutes a baby was born to an unmarried mother.
Every 34 minutes a baby was born to a teenage mother.
Every 2 hours a baby was born to a mother receiving late or no prenatal care.
Every 8 hours a baby died during the first year of life.
Every 39 seconds a public school student was suspended from school.
Every 25 minutes a child was reported abused or neglected.
Every 18 hours a child or youth dies by accident.
Every 2 days a child or youth was murdered.
Every 5 days a child or youth committed suicide.
Every 2 days a childor youth was killed by firearm.
Resources on the Web:
Action Alliance for Children
A California-based, nonprofit agency that provides information about trends and policy issues affecting children and their families. This site has a lot of useful links.
American Bar Association's Juvenile Justice Center
Works in partnership with other ABA entities, bar associations, local/state advocacy groups to monitor and influence juvenile justice policy and practice.
Center for Youth Issues
This is a national, non-profit organization that is committed to taking responsibility for crafting solutions to the many problems that today's youths face.
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
This is a Michigan-based foundation that funds efforts to promote a just and equitable society. The foundation believes that building strong communities through collaboration provides a basis for positive change.
Children's Defense Fund
Education individuals about the needs of children and encourages preventative investment in them before they get sick, drop out of school, suffer from family breakdown, or get into trouble with the law. Their mission is to leave no child behind and ensure every child a healthy start, a head start, a fair start, a moral start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help pf caring families and communities.
Child Welfare League of America
The League is the nation's oldest and largest child advocacy organization. An association of more than 1,100 public and private nonprofit agencies that assist over 35 million abused and neglected children and their families each year with a wide range of services.
National Education Service
With an urban education focus, this is an excellent on-line newsletter with up-to-date youth resources.
Stand Up For Kids
A nationally acclaimed volunteer organization committed to the rescue of homeless and street kids.
UNICEF
This is a good place to find more information on the World Summit for Children as well as prevalent children's issues on a global scale.
Take action - Visit SERVE for a complete listing of local organizations that need your help!
