Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. Every school day seven thousand
students walk out on their education. One-third of all students fail to graduate high
school. And most low-income students who start college never finish.

America’s education crisis has left many young people, especially minorities and those from
lower-income families, without the skills and knowledge required for a meaningful career in
the 21st century. Of those who do graduate high school, half lack the skills to successfully
complete community college. Most drop out of post secondary education before receiving a
certificate or diploma. In the face of increasing global economic concerns, our failure to
ensure all Americans have access to a great education is a threat to long-term American
competitiveness and prosperity.

To help address this crisis, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has partnered with Viacom
in a groundbreaking initiative. Together, we are able to combine the foundation’s deep
knowledge of education reform with the power of Viacom’s diverse brands from BET
Networks, MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures to raise awareness among relevant
stake holders and communities about the challenges facing America’s public education
system. This initiative is dedicated to identifying sustainable and effective approaches that
will increase high school and college graduation rates, improve post secondary readiness
and promote the fundamental importance of education.