Executive Summary:

One out of every six students drops out of school. The odds say it will be a student of color. It’s the last stop on a journey through an education system that doesn’t protect and support kids living with the weight of poverty and trauma. Communities In Schools (CIS) and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) have a proven solution. CIS works hand-in-hand with schools to establish an integrated student supports model, surrounding kids and their families with a system of caring adults that keep students on the path to graduation. CCSSO works with state leaders to enact change for equity in education. Together, we will transform the public education system to ensure every child can succeed. The evidence is clear: 99% of students receiving the most intensive level of integrated student supports remain in school throughout the academic year, and 96% of seniors graduate or receive a GED.