About ABL

Results

The Academy of Business Leadership (ABL) empowers over 200 students each summer and reaches over 6,000 students per year through workshops and presentations at hundreds of middle and high schools, community based organizations, and places of worship. Since 1991, ABL has touched the lives of over 2,000 ABL Summer Business Institute (SBI) graduates, and has reached over 40,000 middle and high school students through workshops and presentations throughout Southern California.. According to Jump$tart Coalition and the National Endowment for Financial Education, students in all fifty states were asked 30 questions on money management, savings, investment, and credit. Of the students polled, 51.9% failed the questions and only 6.7% achieved a “C” grade or higher. On the other hand, based on the results of surveys from the SBI classes of 2002, 2003, and 2004, ABL’s track record of success is clearly revealed. From 2002 to 2004:

• There was an average increase of 246% in the number of students who believe they can now understand finance, investments, and the stock market.
• There was an average increase of 260% in those who can now read and understand the Wall Street Journal as a result of their participation in SBI.
• There was an average increase of 41% in those who are now more certain about pursuing a career in business or economics.
• There was an average increase of 45% in students who do not see the lack of money as an obstacle to pursuing higher education after their participation in SBI.
• 98% of our participants now understand the value of higher education.
• 99% of our SBI graduates graduated from high school, compared to the state average of only 71% of all students in public schools graduating from high school in 2002, as reported by a new release from the Urban Institute. Graduation rates for minority students that year were substantially lower: 57% for Blacks and 60% for Latinos. Statistics show that the graduation rate in Los Angeles is sadly even lower, in a study released by the UC Accord and the Harvard Civil Rights Project in 2005, only 43% of 9th graders are still enrolled four years later throughout LAUSD.
• 87% of ABL alumni went on to a community college or 4-year universities while the state average of high school students attending university is only 56% according to a study “A Tale of Two Cities,” documented by the United Way in 2003.

• 99% of ABL participants who were seniors graduated from high school
• 78% of ABL alumni enrolled in a community college or 4-year university
• 22% of ABL alumni are employed full time out of high school
• 86% of ABL alumni now understand the value of higher education
• 84% stated ABL helped them set higher educational goals
• 85% stated ABL helped them develop higher career goals
• 81% stated ABL taught them leadership skills
• 84% stated ABL taught them the importance of ethics and values

• 100% of participating seniors graduated from high school
• 71% of participating seniors are now enrolled in a 4-year college
• 28% of participating seniors are now enrolled in a 2-year college
• 28% of participating seniors are also employed part-time.
• 99% of ABL alumni now understand the value of higher education
• 96% stated ABL helped them develop higher career goals
• 96% stated they are able to get along with people from diverse backgrounds
• 96% stated they understand people of other cultures and ethnic groups
• 91% stated they understand the importance of ethics and values
• 99% stated ABL taught them how to dress and act in a professional manner

• 518% -An increase of 518 percent in the number of students who can now read and understand the Wall Street Journal as a result of SBI
• 422% -An increase of 422 percent in the number of students who believe they can now understand finance, investments, and the stock market as a result of SBI
• 160% -An increase of 160 percent in the number of students who believe they have learned how to network with successful entrepreneurs and business professionals
• 58% -An increase of 58 percent in the number of students who feel they have strong communication skills
• 43% -An increase of 43 percent in the number of students who no longer see money as an obstacle that could prevent them from pursuing higher education
• 27% -An increase of 27 percent in the number of students who are now more certain about pursuing a career in business or economics