• At the end of every school day, 7,000 more students have dropped out of school.

• Almost one-third of all students fail to graduate high school with their class; among ethnic minorities, the dropout rate is almost 50 percent.

• Dropouts are more likely than their peers to be unemployed, live in poverty, have poor health, depend upon social services and go to prison.

Source: The Silent Epidemic; Bridgeland, Dilulio and Morison; 2006.

Dropping out of school spells economic disaster for young people. In today's workplace, only 40 percent of adults who dropped out of high school are employed, compared to 60 percent of adults who completed high school and 80 percent for those with a bachelor's degree. CIS provides a comprehensive solution to the issues that place young people in jeopardy of dropping out. We believe it is not enough to fund programs that address particular problems children face which may lead to school failure: inadequate health care, academic challenges, lack of career choices, family issues, etc. Rather, CIS aims to “turn off the tap” of potential dropouts by weaving the community’s already existing resources together into a safety net that responds to each child holistically, creates a safer school environment and allows educators to perform to their fullest capacity.

Communities In Schools is the nation’s leading community-based organization helping kids stay in school and prepare for life. CIS of Texas is the state’s leading dropout prevention and intervention program. Our mission is to help kids stay in school, successfully learn, and prepare for life by coordinating community resources in local schools. CIS is part of an innovative national approach established to combat the dropout problem.

For 28 years, CIS has championed the connection of needed community resources with schools. By bringing caring adults into the schools to address children’s unmet needs, CIS provides the link between educators and the community. The result: Teachers are free to teach, and students – many in jeopardy of dropping out – finally have the opportunity to focus on learning.

Communities In Schools of the Big Country, Inc. is located at the Region 14 Education Service Center and is an independent non-profit agency serving the Region 14 school districts. We began in Abilene in 2001 and have since served thousands of kids and families. 2005 was a "new beginning" for us when we came to Region 14 ESC and brought in new staff.

There are 188 local CIS affiliates in 28 states. Texas has 28 CIS programs serving over 600 schools in 100 school districts. Communities In Schools of Texas is administered by the Texas Education Agency.

We believe every child needs and deserves:
• A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult;
• A safe place to learn and grow;
• A healthy start and a healthy future;
• A marketable skill to use upon graduation; and
• A chance to give back to peers and community

In the 2005-2006 school year, Communities In Schools of the Big Country case managed 886 students in our 6 AISD campuses and provided services to hundreds more. Approximately 56% of our students are female and 43% are male. About 50% of our students are between the ages of 6-11 and about 44% are 12–14 years old. 41% of our students live in a single mother home. 55% of our students are Hispanic, 25% are white, and 20% are African American.

56% (492) of our students were case managed for help in academics. 68% (333) of them "significantly improved". 59% (522) of our students were case managed for help in behavior and 68% (353) "significantly improved". 45% (401) of our students were case managed for social service needs and 92% (370) "significantly improved". 13% (113) were case managed for attendance issues and 55% (62) "significantly improved".

This demonstrates the impact we have on the campuses we serve! When CIS is on a campus, teachers are more free to teach, students learn and do better, and the school is better connected to much needed community resources!

Communities In Schools believes that caring, one-on-one relationships between adults and young people make the crucial difference. Programs don’t change kids – relationships do. CIS creates comprehensive, locally controlled and owned support systems around schools. In partnership with the local school system, CIS identifies the most critical needs of students and families – needs that are preventing children from succeeding in school, and in life. CIS then locates and coordinates community resources, dedicated volunteers and agencies to serve in partnership with the public schools, both during the day and after school, thereby making the work of our educators much more effective. Thus, coordination of effort and accountability for results are essential aspects of the service CIS provides – because, too often, well-meaning programs are not focused on overall school objectives. CIS ensures that the work of these outside agencies and volunteers is interconnected and integrated to provide the support schools need the most.