THE NAACP CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON PROTECTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ALL PERSONS WHO SUFFER DISCRIMINATION AND EXCLUSION. ANOTHER AREA OF FOCUS NATIONWIDE IS AN EMPHASIS ON YOUTH SERVICES WITH PROGRAMS SUCH AS BACK TO SCHOOL, STAY IN SCHOOL, AND ACT-SO. THESE PROGRAMS PROMOTE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN AMERICA'S YOUTH, PARTICULARLY MINORITY STUDENTS WHOSE TRUANCY AND DROPOUT RATES ARE EXCESSIVELY HIGH. THE PROGRAMS AVAIL COMMUNITY MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS, PROVIDE TUTORIAL SERVICES AND FOSTER COMPETITION IN ARTS AND SCIENCES FOR A PARTICIPANT. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION THROUGH ITS NETWORK OF UNITS, CONTINUES TO DIRECT AMERICA'S ATTENTION TOWARD THE INCESSANT DISCORD IN RACE RELATIONS.