SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher and education, government, and community leaders in the City of Albany today launched The Albany Promise Cradle-to-Career Partnership, which brings together regional civic organizations, school districts, colleges, and elected officials in a commitment to improve the education pipeline locally.
At today’s launch, the partnership also released The Albany Promise 2012: Baseline Report To The Community, which provides a snapshot of current student academic achievement and well-being data such as kindergarten readiness, proficiency in English and Math, and high school graduation rates, as well as statistics on bullying, substance abuse, missed classes, and more. The metrics in the report were chosen to create a student roadmap to success. Subsequent reports on the partnership’s progress will be issued each year.
“The launch of Albany Promise marks the critical first step toward a brighter future for all of Albany’s schoolchildren,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “SUNY and the national Strive Network are proud to support this effort. The Albany Promise partners are to be commended for their commitment to working together to improve the city’s education system and ensure that every student in Albany has an opportunity for success within that system. Congratulations to all involved.”
Albany Promise partners will meet monthly to align and leverage the city’s existing resources to drive better results in education. They will evaluate the baseline report and work collaboratively to improve the metrics and give every child access to high-quality early learning programs and services; ambitious, rigorous and comprehensive education reforms; college- and career-readiness programs; and family and community supports, including improved family engagement in student learning through adult education opportunities.
SUNY is also an important partner in cradle-to-career networks that have formed throughout New York, in Clinton County, Harlem, Rochester, and Queens. In addition, many other neighborhoods in the State have expressed interest in pursuing this major education reform initiative.
For more on today’s launch, click here.