Pyramid Response to Intervention Never in our nation’s history have the demands on our educational system been greater or the consequences of failure as severe. Beyond the high-stakes school accountability requirements mandated by state and federal laws, the difference between success and failure in school is, quite literally, life and death for our students.

Pyramid Response to Intervention Today, a child who graduates from school with a mastery of essential skills and knowledge is prepared to compete in the global marketplace, with numerous paths of opportunity available to lead a successful life. Yet, for students who fail in our educational system, the reality is that there are virtually no paths of opportunity.

Pyramid Response to Intervention Likely Pathways for Struggling Students 1. Poverty 2. Welfare 3. Incarceration 4. Death

Pyramid Response to Intervention D ropouts on average earn about $12,000 per year, nearly 50% less than those who have a high school diploma. They are 50% less likely to have a job that offers a pension plan or health insurance. They are more likely to experience health problems. (Rouse & Muenning, 2005) ( Poverty

Pyramid Response to Intervention A ccording to a U.S. government report,The State of Literacy in America, over 90 million U.S. adults, nearly one out of two, are functionally illiterate or near illiterate, without the minimum skills required in a modern society. — Larry Roberts, Illiteracy on the Rise in America ( Poverty

Pyramid Response to Intervention Welfare 75% of those claiming welfare are functionally illiterate. (

Pyramid Response to Intervention Incarceration Across the United States, 82% of prison inmates are dropouts. ( Ysseldyke, Algozzine, & Thurlow,1992)

Pyramid Response to Intervention Incarceration A ccording to the report Literacy Behind Prison Walls, 70% of all prison inmates are functionally illiterate or read below a 4th- grade level. (

Pyramid Response to Intervention Incarceration 85% of juvenile offenders have reading problems. (

Pyramid Response to Intervention Youth in correctional facilities Average age: 15 Average reading level: 4th grade (30% below this level) ( Incarceration

Pyramid Response to Intervention The incidence of learning disabilities among the general population based on U.S. Department of Education and local service providers is around 5%. This is in sharp contrast with the number of students with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system, estimated to be as high as 50%. (Bell, 1990) Incarceration and Special Education

Pyramid Response to Intervention Only 57% of youth with disabilities graduated from high school in the 2001–02 school year, according to the U.S. Department of Education (2002). ( Incarceration and Special Education

Pyramid Response to Intervention One study conducted by a University of California, Berkeley economist found that a 10% increase in the graduation rate would likely reduce the murder and assault arrest rates by about 20%. ( Moretti, 2005) ( Social Costs

Pyramid Response to Intervention “The effects of educational failure are going to get worse if we don’t prepare all students to be competitive in the global marketplace.” —The Perfect Storm Cold, Hard Facts

Pyramid Response to Intervention Is a high school diploma enough for our current students to be competitive in the global marketplace?

Pyramid Response to Intervention “The high school diploma has become the ticket to nowhere.” —James Waller, Face to Face: The Changing State of Racism Across America

Pyramid Response to Intervention Today, our economy is not based on agriculture and industry, but information and services.

Pyramid Response to Intervention In 1870, half of the U.S. population was employed in agriculture. As of 2006, less than 1% of the population is directly employed in agriculture. Agricultural Jobs in America

Pyramid Response to Intervention 1950: 34% 2002: 13% U.S. Manufacturing Jobs — USA Today (

Pyramid Response to Intervention 2006 College Graduates U.S.: 1.3 million India: 3.1 million China: 3.3 million

Pyramid Response to Intervention Thank You! Pyramid Response to Intervention