WHAT CAN WE DO TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT? · school time programs for elementary and middle school youth. ! 14 Chapters (plus 6 more) ! 370 Title I School Sites ! 92,000 Students:

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WHAT CAN WE DO TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT?

Interest Driven

Real World Context Connected to the School Day

Socially Connected

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IT WORKS!

95.1% 94.6%

98.7% 97.9%

7th Grade 8th Grade

Student Average Daily A3endance CPS Average Spark Students

ATTENDANCE Spark program participants’ average daily attendance is higher than the district rate

Source: Spark student report cards & University of Chicago Consortium on School Research


IT WORKS!

GRADES Spark students make gains in their GPA during the program



Spark students finish on track at a higher rate than the district average across multiple districts

78%

63% 71%

94% 90% 95%

San Francisco Oakland Chicago

District Rate

Spark Rate

8th GRADE ON TRACK



Invest in research to develop a standard engagement and moNvaNon index for middle grades.

Invest in data systems that not only indicate students who are struggling in middle school and refer them to programs, but also provide high schools and high school programs with criNcal data to support transiNon in the 9th grade year.

Both in-‐school and out-‐of-‐school programs need to create intenNonal connecNons for students to help them link their out-‐of-‐school experiences with school success, and link school success to their future goals.

It starts with engagement.

It’s all connected.

It’s about the transi>on to high school.

HOW WE CAN BET ON MIDDLE SCHOOL?

Supporting the Middle-to-High School Transition

Students at University of Chicago for CampUs 2012

We Are Ready video

After-School All-Stars (ASAS) is…

…a leading National provider of free, school-based out-of-school time programs for elementary and middle school youth.

¨  14 Chapters (plus 6 more) ¨  370 Title I School Sites ¨  92,000 Students:

.

Our Mission: To provide comprehensive after-school programs that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and in life.

¤  91% students of color ¤  60% middle school

¤  85% low-income

Our Vision and Success Formula fo

What we want for our own families, ASAS students and all children

Responding to current crises: obesity, drop-out, unemployment, civic dis-engagement

Safe & Healthy Graduate Career Success Give Back All-Stars Student

Why focus on middle school?

¨  Under-served group ¨  Figuring out who you are and want to be ¨  9th grade bulge, 10th grade dip ¨  Want answers to: 1) Why does high school matter?

How will school be useful in real life? ¨  Get in early: No decisions or actions yet made

Engaging activities: ¨  High School Readiness ¨  Study Skills

¨  Options After High School ¨  Career Exploration

Instructor support for: ¨  Hosting HS Panels ¨  Hosting HS Options Fair

¨  Engaging parents and families

Engaging All Middle Grades

“I wish I would’ve known about this earlier” 6th – Emphasize: Career Interests & Study Skills

Connect: 8th graders – HS Application Process

7th – E: Study Skills & HS Options C: HS Students & Counselors – HS Options 8th – E: HS Apps & Postsecondary Options

C: HS Students – Social & Academics in HS

We Are Ready: High School Panels

¨  Ask questions, hear first-hand perspectives about life in HS

¨  Learn about getting involved in extra-curricular opportunities in high school

¨  Prep is key

Who to invite? ¤  Different grades & schools ¤  Students involved in athletics,

fine & performing arts ¤  Different academic interests

& goals

Passport to Success

High School Exploration Event & Student Workbook ¨  For 6th & 7th grades and parents – info about HS choice

¨  2- and 3-year planning and goal-setting workshop, led by school counselors

¨  Workshops about high school programs

¨  Panel with HS students and guidance counselors

We Are Ready: Data and Eval

19,000 students have gone through program since 2010 ¤  86% learned how school connects to jobs ¤  87% learned new Study strategies ¤  89% motivated to try harder especially in STEM

CampUs: A Typical Day

8:00 am Breakfast

9:00 am High School Readiness

10:30 am College Readiness

12:30 pm Lunch

1:30 pm Health & Fitness/Arts Activity

3:00 pm Leadership Skills

5:00 pm Free Time & Dinner

7:15 pm Career Exploration Speaker

8:30 pm Fun Evening Activity

10:30 pm Lights Out

HS Readiness

•  Standardized Tests •  Dealing w/ Pressure •  Study skills •  Time management •  Four-year plan

College Readiness

•  Fill out college app •  Write a practice essay •  Interview and letters of

recommendation •  Scholarships and Financial

Aid •  Resume writing

Leadership Classes

•  Public Speaking •  Service Learning Project •  Daily themes:

•  Vision •  Resilience •  Teamwork

Career Panels

•  STEM •  Arts and Media •  Government •  Allied Health •  Non-profit •  Corporate •  Sports

Evening Activities

•  Olympic-style games •  Bonfire on the beach •  Movie/Bowling •  No-Talent Talent Show •  Improv Drama •  Sporting Event

1-week overnight camp at a university/college ¨  Leadership and HS Readiness classes in college

classrooms ¨  Peer and adult mentorship ¨  Nightly career panels & fun enrichment activities

CampUs 2013:

A program of We Are Ready

CampUs: Data and Eval

¨  94% of 2012 students on track in 10th grade ¨  98% of students learned what to expect in HS: ¨  96% understand HS Credits, Attendance req’s, How

to find a mentor/role model in HS ¨  99% understand college admissions factors &

application process, Standardized tests and FASFA ¨  95% would recommend to a friend

Documents

WHAT CAN WE DO TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT? · school time programs for elementary and middle school youth. ! 14 Chapters (plus 6 more) ! 370 Title I School Sites ! 92,000 Students: