Education closes the opportunity gap for low-income students
In our knowledge-based global economy, children need an education to secure their future. And organizations like Ernst & Young, as well as our clients and our greater communities, need to recruit a talented workforce in every country where they do business.
Yet a quality education is out of reach for many young men and women. Consider this troubling fact: in the United States, where a bachelor’s degree can translate to an additional $1.1m in income over the course of a lifetime, just 6% of low-income students earn one by the age of 24.
Helping young people gain access to education is one of our top priorities for corporate responsibility at Ernst & Young. Research has demonstrated that a student’s problem-solving abilities and self-confidence help create a foundation for success in elementary school, secondary school and beyond. Through education-focused volunteer programs and our efforts to promote thought leadership and dialog, our goal is to help disadvantaged students prepare for and succeed in college.
As one of the world’s great global training organizations, we help our people realize their full potential. And through educational programs and outreach, we are able to help young people in the communities around us realize their full potential as well. Below are just a few examples of ways we are helping to expand access to education.
Skills-based volunteering: College MAP
The College Mentoring for Access and Persistence (MAP) program targets economically challenged high-school students who have the potential to succeed in college but need some extra help creating the “MAP” that will take them there – including navigating the financial aid process. One distinctive trait of College MAP is the team mentoring model, providing a community of support as students move through the college process. We collaborate with College For Every Student (CFES, www.collegefes.org), which has helped more than 100,000 underserved youth in 380 schools. The students CFES works with have a 95% college acceptance rate, while the average in their communities is less than 40%.
Download: College MAP At-a-glance (pdf, 72.99 kb)
Skills-based volunteering: Cyberchase
Through our collaboration with the popular PBS series Cyberchase, we are improving math literacy in children ages 8 to 11 by showing them how much fun math can be. Ernst & Young’s innovative after-school program brings the Cyberchase experience to life. The
Ernst &Young/Cyberchase Travel Edition offers a set of web-based, downloadable activities that make it easy for any corporate volunteer, parent or teacher to get kids excited about math.
Thought leadership: How top companies can transform education
Businesses can play a leading role in transforming education. Read our research-based white paper (pdf, 930 kb) and executive summary (pdf, 863 kb) on best-practice corporate interventions, or watch the archived webcast of a panel discussion of business leaders who are teaming with local schools to strengthen the schools and improve the quality of education.
Thought leadership: Making education in the US more competitive
We’re proud to be a member of the Business Coalition for Student Achievement and the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, two associations formed by the US Chamber of Commerce. By bringing together other members of the business roundtable — businesses of all sizes, policy-makers, educators, parents and students — we are taking steps to improve K–12 education in the US and to help businesses have access to a skilled and educated workforce.
Webcast helps high school students plot a course for collegiate and career success
Through our collaboration with national not-for-profits like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and College For Every Student we are extending beyond face-to-face mentoring to reach as many students as possible. You can view the replay of our recent webcast, Ploting a course for collegiate success.
Education in our communities: Ernst & Young and Perspectives - Calumet Charter School, Chicago, IL (video)
Over the past four years, Ernst & Young’s Chicago office has built a strong relationship with Perspectives Charter Schools. Our involvement ranges from mentoring and career panels to internship opportunities and funding for summer learning experiences. Our relationship with Perspectives Charter Schools is “a unique partnership that has become a mutually rewarding experience and a source of pride for our firm,” says Kelly Grier, the Chicago Office Managing Partner. Watch this video showing volunteers from our Chicago office mentoring students at Perspectives-Calumet Charter School, using the city as their classroom.
Education in our communities: Ernst & Young and KIPP, Houston, TX (video)
In 2007, we brought the Ernst & Young Cyberchase Volunteer Program to the KIPP School in Houston. From there, our relationship has expanded to include math tutoring for high-school students, college scholarship support, and in-kind contributions throughout the year. Watch this video to get a closer look at Ernst & Young's relationship with the KIPP School in Houston.
Please note: Ernst & Young does not accept unsolicited requests for funding or volunteer engagements.
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