State Farm partners with the America’s Promise Alliance to combat America’s high dropout rate

State Farm Chairman and CEO Ed Rust joined Alma Powell and her husband, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and others recently in Washington, D.C. for America’s Promise Alliance’s (APA’s) national kickoff of its dropout prevention campaign.

State Farm® is the lead sponsor of the campaign, which seeks to cut America’s dropout rate in half through delivery of Five Promises to youth. Alma Powell is the national chair of the Alliance, the United States’ largest multi-sector collaborative dedicated to the well-being of children and youth.

“As a business leader, State Farm knows first-hand that graduation is a critical first step to future success for our students and future prosperity for our nation,” Rust said. “We urge other businesses to join with us in working to ensure that all children are ready to succeed in their education, in the workforce, and in life.”

State Farm and the Alliance are partnering to hold dropout-prevention summits – one in every state in America over the next two years. The first state summit was held in Mississippi earlier this year.  In addition to being presenting sponsor for the summits, Rust also announced a $5 million commitment from State Farm to support APA’s efforts.

In an earlier address to State Farm agents and employees, Rust urged them to take action in their communities by sharing information about the campaign with friends and family, working with a school or nonprofit organization in some capacity, or becoming a mentor.

“I know State Farm agents and associates will be there to help,” he said. “We will look forward to the work that each of you commit. We have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, but I know we’re up to it.”

Experts say that dropping out of high school affects not just students and their families, but the country overall – including businesses, government and communities. The Alliance for Excellent Education estimates that high school dropouts from the Class of 2006-07 will cost the U.S. more than $329 billion in lost wages, taxes and productivity over their lifetimes.

Other Resources:

• The D.C. kickoff also featured a video featuring the Powells, Rust, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sen. Ted Kennedy, who address this national crisis.
  
  
• America’s Promise Alliance
  
  
• Associated press article – Low Grad Rates in US Cities