The AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropic arm of AT&T*, today announced a $500,000 grant to bring a successful high school dropout prevention program to Dallas ISD middle schools for the first time. The gift to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD) will support Destination: Graduation. The program encourages students to stay in school through parental involvement, mentoring and college preparation. The grant is part of AT&T Aspire - a $100 million commitment focused on high school success and workforce readiness that AT&T announced in 2008.

AT&T’s grant will allow the United Way and DISD to address the critical transition that students face from middle school to high school – and the entry into ninth grade, where most students make the decision whether or not to stay in school.

“Nearly 40 percent of high school students in Dallas County do not graduate with their class, including 42 percent of African-Americans and 54 percent of Hispanic students,” said Gary Godsey, UWMD president and CEO. “However, we’re proud that students in the Destination: Graduation program at Thomas Jefferson High School are graduating at an average 21 percent higher rate than the students not involved in the program. We anticipate that this number will continue to grow with the additional support AT&T is giving to this program.”

Organizers will initially offer Destination: Graduation to 250 Dallas ISD students at Cary and Medrano Middle Schools, which feed into Thomas Jefferson High School. The students will first participate in the program in the spring semester of their seventh grade year and will continue until they complete the eighth grade. Students will then be tracked as they move to high school (ninth grade) to document their promotion to the tenth grade. Research shows that ninth grade is a critical year in keeping students in school. If they choose, students may continue to participate in Destination: Graduation throughout high school as well.

“Programs like this will help ensure a workforce with the right skills to compete in a worldwide digital economy,” said state Rep. Rafael Anchia. “We need to help our youth make the connection between education and future success.”

Destination: Graduation students, as well as their parents, will commit to taking part in five areas of the program, including:

• Academic enrichment: Attending Princeton Review classes taught at each middle school.
• Parental engagement: The Dallas Concilio will provide classes for parents that will enable them to guide their children to educational success.
• Career Choice: The Boy Scouts will help Destination: Graduation students identify career interests and explore career possibilities through field trips and projects.
• College Advising: Princeton Review will provide support for students in the program and connect them with college information services.
• Incentives: Students will enjoy rewards and celebrations to keep them motivated to continue with Destination: Graduation and work hard in school.

“As a major corporation, we’re concerned how the dropout issue affects our nation’s ability to compete in the global economy,” said Jim Epperson, senior vice president of state legislative and regulatory affairs for AT&T. “We’re grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Rep. Rafael Anchia, who’s helped to create an environment that encourages investment in our children and their future through great programs such as Destination: Graduation,” Epperson said.

In addition to the AT&T monetary gift, company employees will donate time to the Destination: Graduation program by tutoring students in math, science, technology, and verbal skills. AT&T employees will also have the opportunity to give presentations to students about various professions, and will provide an opportunity for the students to take field-trips to AT&T facilities.

For 25 years, the AT&T Foundation has been committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. In 2008, we announced the largest education initiative in company history – AT&T Aspire – a $100 million commitment focused on high school success and workforce readiness. AT&T Aspire supports the great work of educators - whose passion and commitment helps students succeed each and every day. In addition, we also announced in 2008 that 172 schools and nonprofit organizations across the country will receive $29 million in competitively awarded grants that are designed to support high school retention programs for at-risk students.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation’s fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE^® magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

About Philanthropy at AT&T
For 25 years, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have been committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. As the AT&T Foundation celebrates its 25^th anniversary in 2009, more than $160 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs in 2008 alone.

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