WASHINGTON – America’s Promise Alliance today named seven youth leaders to its governing boards, where they will serve as full decision-making members and help shape the direction of the organization. Three youth leaders will be serving on the Board of Directors, and four will serve as Trustees.

WASHINGTON, D.C – New data show that pre-COVID-19, the nation’s high school graduation rate was at an all-time high—driven by substantial gains over the past decade among low-income, Black, and Hispanic students as well as students with disabilities. These, however, are among the very populations most affected by COVID-19, its disruptions to schooling, and the nation’s on-going struggles with systematic racism.

A nationally representative survey of 3,300 America high school students shows that fewer than half are experiencing the supportive conditions that are linked to engagement and learning in school and out-of-school time settings.

As we grapple with the recent violence in Wisconsin, America’s Promise and The 74 Million held a Youth Town Hall to hear the perspectives and advice of young people during this important moment in our history. In that conversation, Shanyce, a high school senior from Staten Island, NY, said something that is particularly relevant in this moment: "This can’t be just politics—this is the reality that I come home to. We can’t brush it off and say ‘it happens’–schools should have open conversations about this, because it’s not going away.”

The report and companion guide, based on interviews with more than 100 youth across the country, offer action steps for engaging young people in conversation and change.

WASHINGTON – A nationally representative survey of high school students, administered when most had been out of school for more than four weeks due to COVID-19, suggests that many students are feeling unhappy or depressed; worried about having their basic needs met; and disconnected from school, adults, and classmates.

On May 25th, George Floyd died as a result of an egregious act of police brutality. In the two weeks since, communities around the country have risen up in outrage and in search of justice for Mr. Floyd, his family, and for the countless other Black lives that have been lost as a result of systems that were built on a foundation of oppression.

Like so many others, we were deeply pained by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis this past Monday. Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. Violence against Black Americans, as we’ve seen with the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others this year alone, is emblematic of the systemic racism that remains in our country.

WASHINGTON – America’s Promise Alliance’s GradNation campaign today released guidance to help policymakers, educators, and community leaders make decisions about high school students whose educations have been upended by COVID-19.  

When the nation and families are pulling together to weather the unprecedented effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is disappointing to see the President minimize the impact this crisis is having on young people.