Are local students ready? 9 On Your Side and CET examine region's cradle to career initiative

CINCINNATI - One out of every four students in the Cincinnati region drops out of high school. Living without a diploma has dramatic, life-long impacts on the individual and our community, which is why more than 70 cross-sector organizations are partnering to help students stay on the path to graduation, starting in the earliest years. This innovative community-based approach recognizes that schools can’t do it alone, and that helping students succeed is in the interest of the entire community.

At 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, 9 On Your Side and CET presented a special local production, Cradle to Career: Moving the Needle in Education.  

With co-hosts Kathrine Nero and Clyde Gray, this program explored our region’s cradle to career initiative , which has garnered national attention by bringing together leaders in business, education, community service and philanthropy to work toward common goals in education.

"We are pleased to partner with CET for this special and for the opportunity to delve into the educational challenges and successes facing our region," said Jennifer Cobb, Executive Producer of Special Projects for 9 On Your Side. 

Cradle to Career: Moving the Needle in Education looks at key milestones along the path to student success and the high stakes for regional competiveness and economic growth. 

“Making sure our area’s youth graduate from high school, and make a successful transition to college and a career, is an essential part of helping them start successful lives. It’s important that organizations like CET are involved,” said Gloria Skurski, Chief Content Officer for Public Media Connect – CET in Cincinnati and ThinkTV in Dayton.

The program’s guests include:

• Greg Landsman, The Strive Partnership
• Kathy Merchant, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
• Mary Ronan and Andrea Faulkner, Cincinnati Public Schools
• Kathy Burkhardt and Polly Lusk Page, Northern Kentucky Education Council
• Brent Cooper, C-Forward
• Rick Hulefeld, Children Inc.
• Stacie Strotman, Covington Partners
• Lynda Jackson, Covington Independent Public Schools
• O’dell Owens, Cincinnati State
• Jane Keller, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
• Toni Miles, YMCA’s Black and Latino Achievers

Here's how you can watch Cradle to Career: Moving the Needle in Education:

• Watch at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 3 on both digital channel 9.2 and ThinkTV14.

Cradle to Career: Moving the Needle in Education is part of “American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen.” This national public media initiative, funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, aims to help communities across America address the high school dropout crisis.

To learn about “American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen,” visit CET.org or  or www.cincy-americangraduate.org .