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Student Engagement, Attendance and Service Learning

Student Engagement, Attendance & Service Learning is a collaboration between BBF and the University of Nebraska at Omaha working on the following five strategies:

1. Attendance Incentives Program

2. Attendance Media Campaign

3.School Refusal Assessment Survey

4. 40 Developmental Assets Framework
5. Service Learning

Program Update: A unique, sixty-day action plan has been developed for each participating school. To incentivize student attendance, schools have held popcorn parties, given out prizes, and honored students at assemblies. An upcoming media campaign is also in the works. Posters have been created and dispersed to all area schools with regard to the importance of attendance – On Time! All Day!Every Day! Every School Day Counts. Two events are being planned to stress to parents the importance of school attendance.The program has also conducted numerous trainings for community providers and schools regarding the 40 Developmental Assets and the School Refusal Assessment Survey (SRAS). A program committee is preparing for a summit in February regarding implementation of the SRAS.

Mentoring

The Midlands Mentoring Partnership (MMP) is designed to connect existing youth-mentoring programs and serve as a resource center for organizations desiring to start a mentoring program. The purpose of the Midlands Mentoring Partnership is also to increase awareness of youth mentoring, participate in community recruitment processes, support the implementation of quality mentoring standards and monitor outcomes of programs and share resources. An executive director for the Midlands Mentoring Partnership has been hired and a new board of directors established. The MMP Board is working with the MMP Providers Council and other key collaborators to gather information in order to create a strategic plan, specifically focused on fulfilling the priorities of mentoring quality, capacity and diversity.

After School

The Middle School Learning Center Initiative (MSCLI) is a collaboration between the City of Omaha, the Sherwood Foundation, Omaha Public Schools with funding support from the Federal Government. The mission of the MSCLI is to lead the community in a partnership that builds and sustains quality after-school programs.

Program Update: Middle School Learning Center Initiative sites are going through an extensive review in preparation for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers evaluation in early 2010. The program is also meeting with school principals, agency executives, and site directors for semester progress and program checks. There are currently discussions with two new schools for future program expansion for 2010-2011 school year.

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Academic Supports

Academic supports will include tutoring and interventions in reading and math in all pilot schools. A gap analysis of tutoring opportunities, needs and effectiveness will be conducted at all pilot schools.

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Quality Curriculum

A rigorous and relevant quality curriculum is at the foundation for optimizing learning experiences. BBF is supporting the commitment by the State of Nebraska to the National Core Curriculum Project and will be supporting professional development opportunities that improve access to a quality curriculum for all students in Douglas and Sarpy counties.

Teacher and Leader Effectiveness and Compensation

Improving student achievement begins in every classroom with an effective teacher. It is supported in every school by an effective leader. BBF is supporting policy changes, professional development and increased teacher compensation that will result in improved student achievement, engagement and attendance.