Institute for Higher Education Policy Partners with the America’s Promise Alliance

Washington, D.C., June 16, 2010—The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) is partnering with the America’s Promise Alliance (the Alliance) to end the high school dropout crisis. Joining other individuals and organizations committed to national prevention efforts, IHEP has signed on to become a partner of the Alliance’s “Grad Nation” campaign to ensure over the next 10 years that young people graduate from high school with the skills they need for success in college and the 21st century workforce.

“We are committed to helping our students stay on their educational pathways—from high school through college completion—to become productive citizens who contribute to a democratic citizenry,” said IHEP President Michelle Asha Cooper, Ph.D. "Along with our fellow partners who join us in this commitment, we will set an example for America to hopefully establish community-based programs and services that end the high school dropout crisis."

Inspired by the success of its dropout prevention effort, on March 1, 2010, the Alliance officially embarked on the next phase of its work to help transform awareness into sustained, results-driven action. President Obama, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, General Colin Powell, and Mrs. Powell launched Grad Nation as a call to action for businesses, community leaders, policymakers, educators, and all Americans to raise awareness of the high school dropout crisis and develop workable solutions.

For more information about the America’s Promise Alliance, visit the organization’s Web site at www.americaspromise.org. For more information about IHEP, visit www.ihep.org.