LEARN TO EARN DAYTON
Building Our Community's Intellectual Capital

Learn to Earn Dayton

Learn to Earn Dayton’s charge is to assure that all of Greater Dayton’s children are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten and ready to earn when they graduate from college or other post-secondary institution.

At present, just 35 percent of early learners in our region are fully kindergarten ready. The potential ripple effect from this statistic translates to a similar percent graduating from a two-or four-year college within six years of high school graduation. Ultimately, the goal of Learn to Earn Dayton is to have 60 percent of the workforce (age 25 to 64) with a marketable post-secondary credential by 2025.

Dr. Thomas J. Lasley II, former dean of the University of Dayton School of Education and Allied Professions, is the executive director of Learn to Earn Dayton. He is working with school districts, employers, universities, nonprofits and others to make sure Greater Dayton has the qualified people – the “intellectual capital” – to keep employers here and to attract new business. He also is working with 16 area school districts to track required statistics to make the results measurable, as well as to encourage these schools to increase their efforts to contribute to the advancement of a much greater number of students earning a post-secondary education.

To help support this vital effort, The Dayton Foundation awarded a $300,000 grant over three years in 2012, as well as provides office space and backroom support.

Individuals wishing to support Learn to Earn Dayton philanthropically may send a gift to the Learn to Earn Dayton Fund of The Dayton Foundation, 1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Dayton, Ohio 45409 or use a credit card to make a gift online here.