1. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
SARAH BRIGGS, AT&T PUBLIC AFFAIRS
614-223-7641, SARAH.BRIGGS@ATT.COM
JEFF WARNER, COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS
614-365-5680, JWARNER3482@COLUMBUS.K12.OH.US
JUDITH COCKRELL , CITY YEAR
614-586-4536 JCOCKRELL@CITYYEAR.ORG
CITY YEAR, AT&T TEAM UP TO KEEP COLUMBUS KIDS IN SCHOOL AND
ON TRACK TO SUCCEED
Linden-McKinley STEM Academy part of innovative new dropout prevention partnership
COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 28, 2013) – City Year, a national organization that unites young people for a
year of service in high-need urban schools, is teaming up with AT&T to help keep students in school and
on track to succeed, including 134 students at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy in Columbus.
AT&T has contributed nearly $1.2 million nationally to help support City Year’s year-round work in
schools, including the organization’s role in an innovative partnership designed to help turn around the
nation’s most challenged schools. City Year’s Diplomas Now partnership includes City Year,
Communities In Schools, and Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary.
In the first year of implementing the Diplomas Now model at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy, mid-
year 9th
grade student data shows: a 40% recovery rate was met in attendance, 67% were on track in
behavior, 56% were on track in English language arts and 72% were on track in math. This student data
was provided by Johns Hopkins University Talent Development.
―All of us in Columbus care about the future of our high school students, and this initiative to provide
direct support to the rising 10th graders at the Linden-McKinley STEM Academy aims to encourage all of
the students to stay in school and graduate so they can work to make Columbus one of the best cities to
live, work and raise a family,‖ said Mayor Michael B. Coleman.
In addition to Linden-McKinley STEM Academy, AT&T funding will impact students in the following
schools where Diplomas Now is in place: Thomas Jefferson High School and Manual Arts Senior High
School in Los Angeles, and John Hope College Preparatory High School in Chicago. A total of 1,300
students will receive direct support, including academic and social-emotional interventions for rising
tenth grade students provided by a team of City Year corps members as part of their year of service. In
addition, the contribution will support:
an early warning system that identifies students who are falling off track and allows teachers and
corps members the opportunity to intervene;
a personalized learning environment with inter-disciplinary teacher teams;

2. instructional programs that are linked to college readiness standards; and
high school readiness courses and intensive case management for the students with the highest
needs.
―When I observed the program in Boston, Massachusetts, more than a year ago, I was absolutely certain
that the Diplomas Now program was what was needed here,‖ said Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., Superintendent
and CEO, Columbus City Schools. ―In the fall of 2012 we brought Diplomas Now to three Columbus
City high schools, and we are already seeing very positive results in a number of key indicator areas. I
am very pleased with where we are – and where we are going.‖
―There is no greater investment that any organization can make than in the education of Ohio’s future
leaders,‖ said State Senator Charleta B. Tavares. ―The partnership of City Year, the Linden-McKinley
STEM Academy and AT&T is to be commended, as it keeps our youth on track to graduate high school
and prepare them to succeed in college and the workforce.‖
In addition to the Diplomas Now partnership, part of the contribution from AT&T will be used by four
City Year sites in Little Rock and five in Sacramento to deploy U.S. AmeriCorps members as tutors,
mentors and role models. All City Year corps members proudly serve as AmeriCorps members, a federal
program that deploys community volunteers and full-time national service members to meet pressing
local challenges.
―AT&T’s support of City Year right here in Columbus at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy will
increase the number of minority students who will graduate from high school, which will have a lasting
impact on their lives and our great city,‖ said State Representative Kevin Boyce.
The support is part of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s $350 million commitment to education. With more than 1
million students impacted since its launch in 2008, the AT&T Aspire program is one of the nation’s
largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for
college and careers. AT&T Aspire drives innovation in education through investing locally in
organizations making a measureable difference in stemming the high school dropout crisis; connecting
people through its employees and customers; and seeking exponential change through national
partnerships and technology and innovation.
―Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school in America – and City Year corps members serve
where the need is greatest,‖ said Todd Tuney, City Year Columbus Executive Director. ―Young adults –
who are near-peers to the students they serve and highly motivated to get results – can help them get back
on track. We are deeply grateful to AT&T for their generous investment that will support highly-talented,
idealistic young adults who invest a year of service in high-need, urban schools.‖
The Diplomas Now initiative unites three organizations – Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary,
City Year and Communities In Schools, which all have proven track records of improving school success
and student achievement, to create a pioneering secondary school partnership focused on meeting the
holistic needs of all students in grades 6 through 12. The partnership uses real-time student performance
data to identify the students that need help, and to determine the most effective interventions to support
them.
―Through Aspire, we are driving innovation in education by supporting proven programs that address the
high school dropout crisis,‖ said Adam Grzybicki, President, AT&T Ohio. ―The Diplomas Now program
brings together three leading dropout prevention organizations and their combined impact will help even
more students succeed.‖
In 24 U.S. cities and through two international affiliates, City Year corps members, diverse 17-24 year
olds who dedicate a year of service in high-need schools, serve as tutors, mentors and role models for

3. students who need extra care and attention. Wearing their signature red jackets, diverse teams of City
Year AmeriCorps arrive before the bell rings and stay until the last student goes home—helping to
transform a school’s culture with targeted interventions, passion, energy and idealism.
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About City Year: City Year is an education-focused, nonprofit organization founded in 1988 that partners with
public schools to provide full-time targeted intervention for students most at risk of dropping out. In more than 20
communities across the United States and through two international affiliates, our teams of young AmeriCorps
leaders support students by focusing on attendance, behavior, and course performance through in-class tutoring,
mentoring, and after school programs that keep kids in school and on track to graduate.
About Philanthropy at AT&T: AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and
improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create
learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2012, more
than $131 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.
Columbus City Schools is Ohio’s largest public school district, with an enrollment of more than 50,000 students
located in 116 schools, and employing more than 9,700 staff members.
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