According to the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas' 2008 Community Needs Assessment, the high school graduation rate in Dallas County dropped from 82.9% in 2003 to 74.4% in 2006. Because of the importance of a high school diploma,the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) wants to provide an educational outreach program to move Dallas students forward in education.

In 2007, the GDHCC received a grant from the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas to hold public forums aimed at informing parents, the community and business leaders about new developments in educational reform. These forums were specifically designed at informing the community about the new state-mandated curriculum changes that were brought into effect by the passing of Texas House Bill 1 during the 79th Legislature, 3rd Called Special Session. These changes include dual-credit programs and new graduation requirements that increased the number of years students needed to take math and science from 3 to 4 years.

The creation of this site was to provide educational resources and updates to North Texas students and their parents. We additionally want to inform the community of opportunities on how they can become a supporter of our goal.

The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) and the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD) began the Moving Students Forward in Education Series in October of 2007 and has hosted seven educational outreach forums across Dallas informing parents about the 4X4 plan and dual credit-opportunities for students to take advantage of in high school and graduate college ready. Both organizations have had the pleasure of having local and state representatives as speakers and panelists at our series of forums. The local and state representatives that have supported educational outreach have been Senator Royce West, Texas State Representative Yvonne Davis, Texas State Representative Roberto Alonzo, Texas State Representative Rafael Anchia, and Texas State Representative Helen Giddings, Dallas City Council Members, Dallas ISD Board Trustees, Dallas ISD Superintendent, and the Dallas County Community College Board Trustees. The GDHCC & UWMD will continue to support new developments in education to increase high school graduation & college readiness.

Stay tuned for more events to come in January 2009.