Why we do it As many as 67% of all U.S. school students – (that is close to two-thirds of all students) - are eligible for free or reduced lunch due to their families low, socio-economic status. And given the educational environment of these students, the projections indicate that 2 out of 3 American students will be graduating without the skills-sets needed to succeed in the 21st Century, global market place.

Closing the achievement Gap

Establishing effective, evidence-based curricula programming and practices that support the interconnected continuity of academic, social and emotional learning (SEL), according to Jones and Bouffard (2012) takes a commitment.

Digital Learning

In order for our youth to graduate workforce ready, they must be able to adapt to our fast-changing digital world. "Digital Education", the movement to use computers more naturally in a learning environment, is a critical component in preparing a child to be workforce ready. Education must flow within and around a digital format. This will help motivate youth to embrace our ever-changing world of technology so they will successfully integrate it into both their professional and personal lives.

Social and Emotional Learning

There is also accumulating evidence that many young children, namely from low, socio-economic backgrounds, are entering school without the social and behavioral skills necessary to allow them to succeed in team driven work environments (Gilliam & Shahar, 2006; Raver & Knitzer, 2002; Rimm-Kaufman, Pianta, & Cox, 2000). Research reviews and Meta-analyses have found that well-designed and well-implemented SEL programs have positive social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes for children and adolescents (Durlak, Weissberg, Dymnicki, Taylor, & Schellinger, 2011).