degree receive a bachelor’s degree within 6 years or less. (5) Over the past 4 decades, the United States has slipped from being first in the world in high school and college graduation rates to 21st and 14th, respectively, putting the Nation at a growing competitive disadvantage with other countries. (6) In a study conducted by Hanover Research, data showed that quality partnerships between schools and their communities can result in improved attendance, motivation, conduct, and academic achievement. Community-level strategies like focusing on parental involvement, community building, and cultural competence were shown to contribute to decreases in the achievement gap between lower- and upper-income students. (7) Research from the Government Accountability Office found that students who change schools less frequently are more likely to perform at grade level and less likely to repeat a grade than their less stable peers. (8) In research by Teachers College, Columbia University, studies in psychology, health, and education feature school connectedness as important to student learning, achievement, and well-being. When students feel a sense of connection with the larger world and community institutions, they are more engaged in instructional activities and express greater commitment to school. (9) We know from successful experiences that hundreds of thousands of arts, cultural, service, sports, colleges and other youth organizations, as well as civic and faith-based groups want to partner with schools and educators to reinforce learning, but far too often, neither the school nor the community know how to effectively connect with each other. (10) In order for the United States to compete in a global economy, the co-partnering efforts of government, social services, business, arts, home, community-based organizations, and philanthropy need to concentrate their efforts where they are most needed: in our schools. (11) Research from Johns Hopkins University shows that access to summer learning opportunities leads to