Education

United Way fights for every child to succeed in school and life.

Teachers estimate that over 30% and in some cases up to 50% of children are not ready when they arrive at their first day of kindergarten. Nearly 40% of local children are not reading at grade level in 3rd grade. Up to third grade, children are learning to read. From third grade on they are reading to learn. According to the most recent data, this county is the most educated in the state of Illinois. And yet, almost 62% attending the local community college for the first time enroll in remedial reading, writing or math courses.

Our Strategy

We can’t focus on high school alone. High school dropouts are 12 years in the making, usually starting early childhood education behind schedule. United Way's model focuses on supportive communities, effective schools, and strong families — strategies and approaches rooted in research. Tackling the education challenge requires reframing education on a birth to 21 continuum.

Community Goals

• Children enter school ready and are successful in elementary school.

• Youth develop to their full potential and are equipped to become positive, contributing members of the community.

TARGET ISSUES

• Children enter Kindergarten developmentally on track.

• Elementary students demonstrate academic progress

• High school students graduate on time and with a plan for success

How United Way is Helping

In Champaign County, we Live United against low rates of kindergarten readiness. We fight for every child to have an equitable start in school through our Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendars, Walk as One event, Born Learning Trails and Ready. Set. Grow! Young Children's expo. We fight for all middle schoolers to have positive supports, both in school and out. And we fight for all high schoolers to graduate on time and with a plan.

We provide Community Impact Fund grants totaling $809,225  to 13 education-focused programs and United Way initiatives in fiscal years 2019 and 2020.