In Missouri, our graduation rate grew slightly to 87.8 percent, compared to 87.3 the previous year. In Illinois, the graduation rate actually fell slightly from 86 percent to 85.6 percent.

Nine Network will be among PBS stations airing a weeklong series of educational programs known as Spotlight Education.

American Graduate Day returns September 17 with public media stations across the country airing the live, multiplatform event. As a part of the St. Louis celebration, The Nine Network of Public Media will recognize 11 early education professionals as American Graduate Champions during a breakfast on September 10, 2016.

University City Children’s Center (UCCC) and LUME Institute emphasize the importance of the emotional development of children.

St. Louis Graduates provides resources to high school and college students to assist with postsecondary enrollment and completion.

Programs have been a strong component for American Graduate this summer at Nine Network. Here are some of the latest highlights.

Stay Tuned guests discussed the public schools lawsuit against the State of Missouri, while Clifford the Big Red Dog visited local friends.

Ritenour High School prioritizes college and career readiness for all students.

Monday, GradNation released "Hidden in Plain Sight: Homeless Students in America's Public Schools" in discussing a population of students who continue to need help on the road to graduation -- students in transition.

American Graduate alongside America’s Promise Alliance, AT&T Aspire, Better Make Room, Pearson and Communities in Schools will host the #PromiseChat June 8 at 3 p.m. EDT. Nine Network serves as the executive producer of the initiative.

Our producers have been busy checking out educational issues around the community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri is a mentoring agency that builds trusting relationships between caring adults and youth.

In December, Missouri hit a graduation rate of 87.3% and is closing in on the national 90% goal, but more student subpopulations need help.

See what Nine Network leadership and community organizations have worked on in the past month.