For more information, contact:
Jessica Erickson, AT&T Wisconsin
608-692-5340 (cell)
[email protected] GPS Education Partners to Help 100 Teens Graduate
High School with Over $487,500 from AT&T
AT&T Aspire Donation Will Help GPS Establish Two New Education Centers in Milwaukee
AT&T Also Announces Aspire Grant to College Possible to Expand
College Coaching Program to Two New Milwaukee High Schools
MILWAUKEE, Thursday, October 9, 2014 GPS Education Partners was presented with a $487,564 AT&T
Aspire contribution today to help the nonprofit establish five new education centers in Wisconsin and help 100
students graduate high school.
The AT&T funding will enable GPS to establish five new education centers in the state over the next two years,
including two centers in Milwaukee at Capitol Stampings and STRATTEC Security Corporation. Through this AT&T
donation, GPS will be able to help 100 students graduate high school with a purpose and a plan for their future
career and continued education.
GPS Education Partners is a non-profit organization that not only helps students graduate high school, but also
prepares them for meaningful careers, continuing education and productive lives through a unique immersive
learning experience throughout 16 education centers across Wisconsin. Since its inception in 2000, GPS has
established collaborations with over 120 businesses and 40 school districts in order to recruit and serve students
throughout the state.
The GPS model of work-based learning impacts entire communities by re-engaging students in their education and
equipping them with unique skill development that will prepare them for continued education and careers that meet
the future needs of business, said Stephanie Borowski, president of GPS Education Partners. We are excited to
work with AT&T to expand our innovative centers to reach even more teens.
GPS centers are located at manufacturing companies across Wisconsin and are staffed by state-licensed,
alternative education-certified teachers who provide daily instruction and facilitation, utilizing personalized, hands-
on, and project-based learning methodologies to meet the needs of every learner. During the 21-month GPS
program, students spend eight hours per day immersed in their learning two hours within core academics and six
hours continuing their education experience in real manufacturing jobs.
AT&T also announced today an $899,901 national AT&T Aspire donation to College Possible, headquartered in St.
Paul, MN, to expand its programming in Wisconsin and three other states. Of that amount, $120,000 is earmarked
to College Possible in Milwaukee to serve 64 students at two new high schools, including Milwaukee Public
Schools Harold S. Vincent High School.
College Possible is a nationally-growing nonprofit organization making college admission and success possible for
low-income students through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. The nonprofit provides academic
support and coaching to low-income students to help them graduate from college at rates 10 times higher than their
peers.
Keeping our teenagers in high school and preparing them for success after graduation not only benefits our
students, but our communities and our state as well, said Scott T. VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin.
GPS and College Possible have proven educational programs designed to help at-risk youth stay in school,
succeed academically and graduate prepared for college and careers. We are proud to help them expand their
programs to reach even more teens.
GPS Education Partners and College Possible are the only two organizations in Wisconsin among 30 recipients
nationwide that will share in nearly $12.5 million from AT&T. The contributions are a part of AT&T Aspire, the
companys signature education initiative focused on school success and career readiness. With an unwavering
commitment to data-driven education outcomes, AT&T Aspire has impacted more than 1 million students since its
launch in 2008.
Our mission is to prepare each student to graduate from high school college and career ready. College Possible
and GPS Education Partners are two of our partners in that important work, said MPS Superintendent Dr.
Darienne Driver. Were excited to see their efforts rewarded and expanded because there will be more
opportunities for our students to graduate, get ready for college and explore career pathways.
Through a competitive request for proposal process, 30 schools, school districts and non-profits, including GPS
Education Partners and College Possible, were selected from more than 1,100 nationwide. Programs were
evaluated based on their effectiveness in helping students graduate ready for career or college. Selected programs
use evidence based approaches to serve students and are able to demonstrate quantitative results.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and
affiliates AT&T operating companies are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of
network resources that includes the nations most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet,
voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering
the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse
brand. The companys
suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.
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/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/att.
About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives,
AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address
community needs. In 2010, more than $148.2 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.
2014 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T
Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. 4G LTE availability varies.
