Young people who succeed in algebra are better prepared to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, but University of Arizona research shows students must begin mastering math fundamentals that lead up to algebra as early as the fourth grade.

Helios Education Foundation has funded a $430,000 planning grant to support the development of a new teacher education program for STEM (science, technology, engineering, & mathematics) middle school teachers at the University of South Florida College of Education (COEDU).

Collaborative Tackles Key Factors Preventing Children from Learning to Read

With a new national report showing that children who don't read well by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, three Arizona foundations are leading a statewide collaborative to tackle the underlying issues preventing children, especially low-income children, from learning to read at grade level.

It's clear that the ages of birth to five represent the most critical stage in the growth and development of young children, forming the building blocks for a child's future success from pre-school through postsecondary education. Since 2006, Helios Education Foundation has invested over $10 million in strategic partnerships across Arizona and Florida focused on better preparing early childhood educators and practitioners and on increasing the number of high quality early learning environments in child care centers and family child care homes. Click here to view our interactive report on efforts to transform early childhood education in Arizona and Florida.

Navigating the pathways to colleges, universities and technical and vocational schools can be a dense maze of paperwork, standardized tests and financial worry. The Northern Arizona College Resource Center helps students and adults interested in pursuing post-secondary education through a new partnership with Helios Education Foundation and the Arizona Community Foundation.

In an effort to increase college graduation rates for first-generation and under-represented students, Helios Education Foundation and The University of Tampa have partnered on a new initiative called "Student Success - Responding to a National Imperative." Helios is investing $1.3 million over four years in the initiative.