These students model the reason for our work in PLANit Sarasota, where I have the privilege of serving as director. A cross-sector group of educators, youth services organizations and funders, PLANit Sarasota is convened by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and focused on increasing the rate of students, particularly among those historically underrepresented in higher education, who pursue an education beyond high school.
Yet, for every student who succeeds, others lack the support, encouragement and motivation to persist, or they can’t see past temporary challenges to realize longer-term rewards. Sarasota County Schools has a graduation rate of nearly 89%; the college-going (postsecondary) rate is 70%, which is below the state average. Keep reading.