14. For every 100 students in the 9 th grade, how many made it to graduation in 2004? The Schools Foundation 2009 Madison City 85 Huntsville City 51 Madison County 64 Alabama 59 U.S. 70
28. The Schools Foundation 2009 Yes We Can! Huntsville-Madison County We know that great schools are possible when a community is unified in support of high education standards.
29. The Schools Foundation 2009 Yes We Can! Huntsville-Madison County A community partnership in support of public education
30. The Schools Foundation 2009 Yes We Can! Huntsville-Madison County Communications Objectives Build communication strategies that include improving internal/external communications structures and collecting the public voice .
31. The Schools Foundation 2009 Regional Collaboration Objectives Enhance relations and achievement results through linkages among three public school districts in Madison County.
32. The Schools Foundation 2009 When? Now!!!! Yes We Can! Huntsville-Madison County A community partnership in support of public education
33. The Schools Foundation 2009 “ The U.S. cannot maintain its economic leadership unless our workforce consists of people who have the knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation.” Bill Gates
34. The Schools Foundation 2009 Yes We Can! Huntsville-Madison County A community partnership in support of public education www.theschoolsfoundation.org Scott McLain President, The Schools Foundation [email_address] 256-533-3414 Debbie Beaupre Executive Director, The Schools Foundation [email_address] 256-503-3213
Editor's Notes
The Schools Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization supporting the three (3) public school systems in Madison County, Alabama. For a complete listing of the 22 member board, and details about current educational initiatives, visit www.theschoolsfoundation.org.
The Foundation serves as an advocate and leading organization for community engagement, as well as a vehicle for individuals and businesses to support public education. What we do: Expand professional development opportunities for educators: conferences and workshops, scholarships and grants, Powerful Conversations, Principally Speaking Network, A+ College Ready, Laying the Foundation (pre-AP teacher training) Develop Pathways for Cross-District Collaboration: Federal Impact Aid, A+ College Ready, funding issues and opportunities, Federal & military coalitions, Powerful Conversations, Principally Speaking, Chamber of Commerce Education Coalition, distance learning labs, Military Child Education Coalition Advocate for Support of Public Education: vocal and active on issues that offer opportunities for additional funding (tax referendums, Federal grants, education task force committees, active in workforce development issues that relate directly to education, Alabama Reading Initiative, Alabama Math Science and Technology Initiative
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? To all three local public school systems for: Distance Learning Labs Great Teacher Conference North Alabama Kindergarten Conference Excellence in Education grants to classroom Principally Speaking Network Teacher & administrator scholarships Powerful Conversations Network TARC-Team America Rocketry Competition Military Child Coalition Project Federal Impact Aid- The Schools Foundation works annually with the Redstone Arsenal Garrison Commander’s Office, local superintendents, the media, and parents to ensure that Impact Aid information is widespread and leads to maximum financial payments back to the school systems. This annual initiative involves every school in Huntsville, Madison City, and Madison County, and results in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the school systems each year . School Volunteers & Business partnerships- we support these needs at @ opportunity A+ College Ready = $4.2 million additional support over the next 5 years A national initiative designed to increase student participation and success in advanced placement math, science, and English courses. See www.theschoolsfoundation.org for more program information and to meet all the corporate sponsors.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: YES WE CAN HUNTSVILLE-MADISON COUNTY! A community partnership in support of public education The Schools Foundation plans to implement a communitywide public engagement initiative designed to create a shared vision for our three public school systems, resulting in more students graduating and ready for college, work, and citizenship. To improve student achievement through quality educational opportunities for all To increase the graduation rate To eliminate inequities in educational opportunities To create public support for education To address issues- real or perceived- concerning the quality of education in our community To provide a means to engage and mobilize the public to work toward shared expectations for our schools To reconnect our community and public schools through the establishment of higher goals for both To develop a community agreement that clearly identifies responsibilities and goals for the community and for public education
The health of our local economy and quality of life in our community is directly dependent on the quality of our public education. Community engagement: It is important for the future of every student in our schools. It is important for us as a community to have a well prepared workforce. It is important for us as a community to ensure that our students graduate ready for college , work, and life. It is important for us as a local community and as a state to improve our economy. It is important for us as a nation to graduate students who can compete in today’s global economy. We believe that: there is nothing more important than our students parent, business, and community involvement are essential teachers must have personal and career development opportunities that help inspire and prepare students to be successful on-going communication among stakeholders creates mutual trust and respect we cannot solely depend on local, state, and federal governments to fully meet our needs every constituency within the community has a stake and deserves a voice in the success of public education
From the National Center for Education Statistics, NAEP Data Explorer
"Progress Toward Increasing Graduation Rates" Released by the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University) Alabama leaders attributed the progress to concerted effort on multiple fronts to strengthen schools (i.e. accountability system, initiatives to strengthen instruction, etc.)
However…..
Education in the United States over the past 25 years shows overall gains in math achievement for 9 year olds. Unfortunately, gaps in achievement for minority and low economic students have increased. And the U.S. continues to rank in the lower 25% in math and problem solving skills when compared to other developed countries. Source: National Association of Elementary Principals 2004
If we expect the best from our schools, we must be willing to talk about the tough issues . Communication is crucial to progress and to the heart of community engagement: Open dialogue Mutual respect Honest expectations Mutual responsibility Shared responsibilities Clear understanding Joint goal setting Joint problem solving Shared success Tough conversations Community resolutions High expectations- for our schools and for our community
( SOURCE: Grad Nation: A guidebook to help communities tackle the dropout crisis.)
(Diplomas Count, 2008). No matter how we evaluate or figure graduation rates (many methods, many formulas), we need to recognize that we can do better. Our students deserve it.
(U.S. Bureau of Census, 2006).
(U.S. Bureau of Census, 2006).
Other communities have undertaken this work with great success. According to Grad Nation, community engagement is the recommended course of action to seek solutions to critical education issues. What kind of community do we have? What kind of community do we want to live and work in? What kind of schools do we have? What kind of schools do we want? What will it take to have the community and the schools that we want? What will it take to have that for our families ? What are will willing to do to get that? What is my role in this effort? What is the role of local businesses? The community as a whole? Of elected officials? Of educators?
Our community is already involved in our schools- high expectations are the norm.
It’s up to all of us. Why should schools have to solve education and society’s problems alone?
Facing dramatic growth as a result of BRAC. Local companies can’t fill many entry level jobs. The readiness of our future workforce is a concern. There is a growing demand in our community for graduates with higher level math and science knowledge and problem solving skills. Employers predict an increase in career opportunities in bio-tech, engineering, and technical areas. Meanwhile…..challenges continue to grow: Increase in non-English speaking residents Increase in number of students qualifying for free and reduced meals Economic needs: increase in demand for social services rises as economic needs increase- housing, food stamps, unemployment benefits Education is the ONE solution to coming out on top in this troubled economic world. Why should we expect the schools to do it alone?
A nationwide challenge
It’s up to us.
Our schools are accomplishing extraordinary things. Why should we expect them to do this work alone?
Community changes. Community demands. Challenges continue.
What can we do to get what we want for our community and for our schools?
We know that great schools are possible when a community is unified in support of high education standards.
Yes We Can Huntsville-Madison County works through community conversations: many opportunities for all citizens to have their voice heard and thoughtfully considered. Yes We Can is a strategic effort that will involve each segment of the Madison County area.
~12 months from start to finish Along the way: Listen to all voices, all opinions. Collaborate with superintendents and school board members to identify strategies and areas of focus. “ When we focus on something, it improves.” Celebrate publically. Accept a shared responsibility for education. Is this the community that we want? Are these the schools that we want?
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