Graduation Coach Campaign Philadelphia

There are numerous factors that affect a city’s overall graduation rate and levels of academic achievement. Increased parental and adult involvement is one factor that has been shown to have a positive impact on students’ educational achievement regardless of family income or background – yet there are few interventions in place to strengthen the bonds between young people and caring adults that are also specifically organized to promote educational success. Parental and adult involvement has a positive effect on children’s achievement even when the influence of background factors such as socioeconomic status, social class, and family size have been taken into account. Graduation Coaches is designed to strengthen these bonds and motivate and prepare caring adults to help young people set positive education and career goals – contributing to improvements in academics and life skills, and ultimately helping youth graduate from high school. The first volunteer Graduation Coach initiative to utilize these principles was developed and launched in Philadelphia in September 2010 as part of Mayor Michael A. Nutter’s commitment to raising education achievement in the city.