Dog Eating Too Much of Education Conversation?

This week I've spent at least 10 hours listing to on-line discussions focused on helping more young people graduate with the preparation they need for college and to compete in a global marketplace. Saturday it was American Graduate. Monday and Tuesday it was the Education Nation Conference. I also listened to the Clinton Global Initiative. Last night I watched part of Education Nation on WTTW and today followed a live chat about the film.

There were a number of profiles of youth serving organizations, but too little discussion of the leadership, marketing and resources needed to fill neighborhoods around poorly performing schools with mentor-rich learning programs. It led me to create this graphic.

I think our public education conversation is monopolized by the education/business establishment and that a focus on poverty and strategies that fill the non-school hours with youth and family supports, including jobs, is just not getting enough attention.

Do you agree? Can you think of a better caption for this graphic than what I've posted? Where are you meeting with people to build the leadership and support system needed to make high quality, constantly improving youth tutoring, mentoring, arts and technology programs available in your community?

This concept map visualizes the "pipeline to careers" support kids need.  Youth in affluent areas have most of these supports. Those in high poverty area have too few. 

How do you evaluate the programs that are in your community? Do the web sites have graphics that show an intent to help youth through school and into jobs and careers? Most programs can't do everything, but do they show what role they take in this effort?

Who will sponsor another track of on-line broadcasts where leaders are talking of what they are doing to support a city-wide network of youth serving organizations operating in non-school hours?