Prepare for American Graduate Day: Let's Make it Happen 

American Graduate Day is Oct. 3. Find out how you can contribute to the cause of helping young people succeed by lowering high school drop-out rates through increasing the number of American graduates.

What Is It?

In its fourth annual year, American Graduate Day "is a live, seven-hour multiplatform broadcast that leverages the power and reach of public media to focus on those organizations and individual Champions keeping kids on the path to graduation," according to AmericanGraduate.org.

Supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), American Graduate Day is an attempt to capitalize on the significant role of public media in connecting the community to raise awareness for efforts in ensuring that American students become American graduates.

With more than 1,000 partners, including at-risk schools across 40 states, CPB essentially aims to build " community capacity to meet the national priority of ending America’s high school dropout crisis." Other recognizable partners include PBS, PBS Kids and NPR.

The broadcast will take place Oct. 3 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. EDT.

Participate in Helping the American Graduate Cause with Seven Steps

American Graduate Day's site includes a list of seven simple steps for any individual to contribute in raising the country's graduating rates and helping all learners finish school. Such steps include reading with a child, acting as a mentor for individual youths and in youth programs, talking to students about your career and more.

The site also offers ideas and facts for each step to help you get started.

Find Out if There's a Partner in Your Community

Participating is made easier when there are organizations in your community involved in the cause, as well. American Graduate Day has joined forces with 80 public radio and television stations as well as 1,400 other partners within communities across the nation.

To find a partner in your state, check out this interactive map that shows participating states and communities.

Find Other American Graduate Champions

"An American Graduate Champion commits their time, skills and resources to make sure that young people succeed," the site says.

Connect with others who practice their desire to help young people succeed by taking a look at featured American Graduate champion profiles from all over the country. 

Compiled by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

09/25/2015