AT&T has announced a $5 million grant to Communities In Schools in support of efforts to address the high school dropout problem.

Awarded through AT&T Aspire, the company's $350 million initiative to boost the number of students who graduate from high school ready for college and careers, the funds will help CIS expand and strengthen its network of 70,000 volunteers and 15,700 community partners working to provide integrated support for 1.25 million at-risk youth. The grant includes $2.8 million to help support the CIS Total Quality System, accreditation standards designed to ensure that local affiliates implement the CIS model to its full potential; $2 million in support for Diplomas Now, a collaborative effort with City Year and Johns Hopkins University's Talent Development program to help CIS site coordinators target community services and high-intensity supports to assist students at risk of dropping out; and $200,000 to expand mentoring opportunities through the Aspire Mentoring Academy, in which AT&T employees serve as volunteer mentors.

At the end of the 2011-12 school year, 99 percent of CIS students stayed in school, 94 percent of K-11 students advanced to the next grade, and 93 percent of eligible high school seniors graduated on time. Since 2008, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have provided $14.2 million in funding to Communities In Schools and its local affiliates.

"Communities In Schools combines the best of what we know works — a caring adult and the effective use of metrics and evidence-based strategies — to drive positive, measurable outcomes for the students they serve," said Beth Adcock Shiroishi, vice president for sustainability and philanthropy at AT&T. "This new support will help ensure these best practices are implemented across their national network. Coupled with the commitment of AT&T employees, we will help more students graduate high school ready for future success."