Those who advocate for greater investment in education often make the economic argument: more education leads to higher wages and is critical for financial stability and independence. They’re right. Robust evidence supports the view that higher levels of educational attainment are linked to higher incomes, less unemployment, less poverty, and less reliance on public assistance.

But education is about more than just better jobs and bigger paychecks, important though they are in making families and individuals more financially stable.

More education is also linked to better physical and mental health, longer lives, fewer crimes, less incarceration, more voting, greater tolerance, and brighter prospects for the next generation.

More education is good for individuals who stay in school to earn their high school degree or who enter and graduate college, but it is also good for all of us, paying big dividends in the form of increased civic engagement, greater neighborhood safety, and a healthy, vibrant democracy.

United Way and the American Human Development Project have created a tool to forecast how things might change in our community if educational outcomes were better.  Use The Common Good Forecaster to check out the impact of education in Olmsted County.

For more a  in depth look at United Way of America goals for education, see Goals for the Common Good: Exploring the Impact of Education

United Way of Olmsted County Advancing the Common Good 2015  Goals for Education

EDUCATION - CHILDREN ARE PREPARED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL.
A six-year investment of $3 million in early literacy programs plus $1 million in the Imagination Library. In 2009-2010, United Way of Olmsted County will invest $502,178* in early literacy programs.

• 7,500 (75%) of children in Olmsted County pass the kindergarten assessment. $362,178*
• 75% of 0-5 year olds in Olmsted County receive books through Imagination Library. $ 140,000*

EDUCATION - YOUTH ARE PREPARED TO SUCCEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
A six-year investment of $4 million in community-based programs. In 2009-2010, United Way of Olmsted County will invest $324, 700*  in community-based programs.

• 3,300 low-Income youth participating in community-based programs demonstrate connection to a caring adult and community; and, leadership in the community.  $312,700*
• 90% of registered low-income k-12 youth start school each year with appropriate school supplies through Running Start. $ 12,000*

*United Way of Olmsted County LIVE UNITED Community Fund 2010 investment