Last September, Maryland Public Television (MPT) gathered more than 600 parents, teachers and students at MacArthur Middle School for a presentation from University for Parents (UfP), an organization that provides parents with tools and resources to help their children succeed in school. There was a unique opportunity to make a difference at this school. MacArthur Middle is a public school located on the Fort Meade military base.

After the September presentation, MPT and its community partners hosted UfP classes for parents and their teens, after school community resource fairs and even a Parent Graduation Day celebration. The goal? Studies show that support from parents increases the likelihood kids will stay in school.

"If we can help parents understand their child's educational needs, then they can help their child succeed in school." - Rhonda Ulmer, Founding Director of UfP and AmeriCorps Alum

MPT initiated a series of broadcast, online and community activities as part of ”American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen,” a national public media initiative funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to help the state of Maryland and other communities across America to address the high school dropout crisis.

Video URL - http://video.mpt.tv/video/2172936918/