News, updates and perspectives on the
future of education from Learn4Life
Teen Dad Balancing Baby and Books
This Father’s Day
We know that 200,000 teen girls give birth every year in the U.S., but what about the other half of the equation – the 200,000 fathers? Unfortunately, only about 33 percent of fathers under 18 stick around to help raise the child. When you consider that 70% of those teen moms don’t graduate – it’s not hard to imagine why.

For Father’s Day, we are spotlighting one teen dad who takes his role seriously and is actively parenting his child. Meet Ricky C., 19, who brings his 4-month-old son to school with him every day. He is on track to graduate later this year and grateful that Learn4Life has a dedicated classroom for parenting teens. 
Compassion Fatigue During Distance Learning
It’s not just first responders who are feeling compassion fatigue, it’s happening to teachers and school counselors who are struggling with distance learning. Absorbing the fear and trauma of those they serve is a reality for front line workers – and now for educators, too. Distance learning has caused some teachers and counselors to experience their students’ difficulties more deeply than before.

Because Learn4Life teachers are responsible for 32-35 students, compared to 150-180 at traditional schools, they have a closer relationship with each student. And these students face more challenges than the average high school teen including, poverty, pregnancy or parenting, homelessness, foster care, violence and more. 
Support of School Choice Growing
in the COVID Spotlight
Since the coronavirus school closures, support for educational choice is growing. A recent opinion poll shows that 64% of respondents support school choice, across party lines: Republicans (75%), Democrats (59%). By race/ethnicity, Black people (68%) and Latinos (63%) are eager to see school choice, along with 68% of white voters.
 
This crisis has shown that schools must be able to adapt quickly to a new type of learning – now and for future crises. And parents shouldn’t be required to send their children to those schools that can’t keep up.