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Launched in 2005, Ready for Life is a collaborative cross-agency effort to improve Nevada’s success at engaging and graduating “ready for life” students and reengaging those who prematurely left school. Convened by Nevada Public Education Foundation, dozens of public and private organizations are partnering in the belief that as they work together, students will be more likely to complete high school and gain appropriate postsecondary education or training to become productive, contributing members of society. Partners include local agencies, non-profits, community-based organizations, education entities including local school districts and higher education, faith based organizations, concerned parents, and elected officials.
Strategic Direction
In 2003-2004, NPEF conducted a statewide education needs assessment to determine where to focus efforts to best meet the needs of Nevada’s students. It became clear that too many Nevada youth were leaving high school without graduating. Research from Stanford University indicates that young people who are not “connected by 25” to education or employment are likely to remain disconnected throughout their lives, resulting in significant social and economic costs. During its 2004 strategic planning process, the NPEF Board committed to focus on helping youth become “ready for life” through successful transitions at each developmental stage during their educational careers in Nevada and beyond. After more research and in collaboration with a steering committee of leaders and stakeholders, NPEF launched the Ready for Life Initiative in Clark County in November 2005. Using the same theory of local collaborative work, a holistic view of youth, and a focus on systemic change, NPEF awarded Churchill County a planning grant to launch Ready for Life in January 2007. This was followed by another Ready for Life planning grant to Washoe County in June 2007. NPEF continues to develop opportunities and partnerships to seed local Ready for Life collaboratives across Nevada, along with a statewide network to support and enhance the local collaborative work.
Theory of Action
Ready for Life participating organizations believe that as they partner together to understand and address, in a holistic way, the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of youth and families, students will be more likely to graduate from high school and gain appropriate post-secondary education or training to become productive, contributing members of society.
All young people deserve the opportunity to earn a high school diploma, and it is our responsibility as a community to help Nevada youth become “ready for life.”
Vision
Ready for Life facilitates activities to ensure that:
- All youth are educated and ready to learn.
- All youth are experienced and ready for careers.
- All youth are connected to adults, peers and educational services.
- All youth are confident and ready for life.
- A connected, operational infrastructure supports youth success.
Ready for Life is connected with the national Youth Transition Funders Group focus on struggling students and out-of school youth, through their “Connected by 25” Strategic Assessment Grant Initiative.
Although developed out of a focus on disconnected youth ages 14-24, based on the “Connected by 25” research from Stanford University, Ready for Life values, recognizes, embraces, and supports prevention, intervention, and reengaging strategies at all ages. Of primary concern to Ready for Life are the following groups of youth, among which there is significant overlap:
- High school dropouts
- Credit-deficient and over-age students (both middle and high school)
- Foster youth
- Youth involved in the juvenile justice system
- Teen mothers
- Homeless youth
Downloads
NV DROPOUT PREVENTION SUMMIT – HELPING STUDENTS GRADUATE
NV DROPOUT PREVENTION SUMMIT – ONE DREAM TWO REALITIES
READY FOR LIFE NEVADA DROPOUT PREVENTION PROCLAMATION
NV DROPOUT PREVENTION SUMMIT – SILENT EPIDEMIC
NEVADA GRADUATION RATE STATISTICS
READY FOR LIFE TIPS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
READY FOR LIFE TIPS FOR COMMUNITY AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
READY FOR LIFE TIPS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
READY FOR LIFE TIPS FOR PARENTS
READY FOR LIFE TIPS FOR PRINCIPALS AND ADMINISTRATORS
READY FOR LIFE TIPS FOR TEACHERS
READY FOR LIFE DROPOUT PREVENTION SUMMIT GUIDE
U.S. SENATOR JOHN ENSIGN LETTER OF SUPPORT
U.S. SENATOR HARRY REID LETTER OF SUPPRT
NEVADA ATTORNEY GENERAL CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO LETTER OF SUPPORT
NEVADA GOVERNOR JIM GIBBONS LETTER OF SUPPORT |
