Executive Summary. After School Programs at Pompano Beach. After School Programs, Inc.

Transcription

1 Executive Summary After School Programs at Pompano Beach After School Programs, Inc. Dr. Verda T Farrow 1520 S. Powerline Rd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary Introduction 1 Executive Summary 2 Section 1: Introduction 2 Section 2: Student Performance 3 Section 3: Challenges and Opportunities 6 Section 4: Conclusion 7

3 Executive Summary Introduction Executive Summary Every school has its own story to tell. The context in which teaching and student learning takes place influences the processes and procedures by which the school makes decisions around curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The context also impacts the way school leadership considers how to organize, maintain order, and stay faithful to the school's vision. A description of the level of stakeholder engagement, trends and issues affecting the school, and the kinds of programs and services that the school implements to support student learning also contributes to the overall narrative. The purpose of the Executive Summary (ES) is to give schools an opportunity to tell their story, to describe their context both strengths and challenges so that the public and members of the school community have a more complete picture of how the school perceives itself and what it is deliberating as it engages in the process of self-reflection for continuous improvement. This report is structured into 4 sections that give context about what the school faces on a day-to-day basis in providing teaching and learning in its community: Section 1: Introduction Describes the community in which the school is located. Identifies the unique features and special challenges of this school community. Provides brief demographic information with regards to both students and staff and the community at large. Section 2: Student Performance Gives a brief description of the school's vision about students and their performance. Provides a brief summary of student performance in this school. Identifies the school's goals and how the school will know they have achieved them. Describes the variety of the school's student performance assessments. Identifies how the staff engages in meaningful analysis of student work in order to modify instruction. Describes the school's student support programs and services. Identifies the ways in which the school ensures community/parent involvement in the life of the school. Section 3: Challenges and Opportunities Identifies the major challenges the school has faced in the last 3 years and how it has addressed those challenges. Section 4: Conclusion Identifies what the school is most proud of and why. Relates other information the school would like to share with the public and the school community. Page 1

4 Executive Summary Section 1: Introduction Provide the school's mission statement. What process was used to create the mission statement? Describe how the school engaged its stakeholders to parents and community members in the development and fulfillment of the mission statement. Describe the community in which your school is located. What are the unique features and special challenges of your school community? Briefly provide demographic information with regards to both students and staff and the community at large. Narrative: In 1991, After School Programs, Inc. (ASP) was established as a not-for-profit 501C3 corporation for the purpose of providing the children and families of Broward County with superior educational and recreational after school, summer camp and full day programs on school holidays. ASP is Broward's only after school provider to be accredited by the prestigious, nationally recognized Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and also received its Broward County certification in For the past 4 years ASP has been a state approved Supplemental Educational Services provider and continues to successfully tutor thousands of children in the critical areas of reading and math in Title 1 Elementary and Middle Schools throughout the state of Florida, North Carolina and Georgia through the No Child Left Behind Act. ASP has extensive experience and a proven track record of success administering programs designed to improve student achievement in communities influenced by social and economic factors. The lasting impact our programs have on the community can be measured by a documented improvement in student achievement and an increase in parental involvement in their child's education. The corporate Office is located in Deerfield Beach, Florida, which is in Broward County. ASP currently operates 74 on-site after school programs in 4 Florida counties 42 in Broward County, 18 in Orange County and 12 in Collier County, 2 in Miami Dade County, and serving thousands of children in grades Pre-K through Middle School from varying socioeconomic and culturally diverse backgrounds. In addition, ASP operates 3 off campus pre-school sites in Broward County. ASP has been awarded numerous Gold Seals of Excellence from the Florida Department of Children & Families and has also received exemplary scores on the Broward School Districts and Children's Services Council Monitoring Reports. At Pompano Beach Elementary School, which is located in the city of pompano Beach, Florida, ASP operates a program that serves103 students. ASP has been awarded a grant to operate the after care program at Pompano Beach. Students receive grant funding based on a sliding fee scale. Page 2

5 Section 2: Student Performance Give a brief description of your school s vision about students and their performance. Provide a brief summary of student performance in your school. What are your goals and how will you know you have achieved them? Describe the variety of your school s student performance assessments. How does your staff engage in meaningful analysis of student work in order to modify instruction? Describe the school s student support programs and services. In what ways does your school ensure community/parent involvement in the life of the school? Narrative: ASP uses an evidenced-based model to provide after care services in many of our schools. We strive to enhance and enrich the lives of children while meeting the needs of the schools and communities we serve. Our primary objective is to provide superior quality childcare programs that are safe, affordable and promote each child's success through academic and social achievement. Our programs consist of developmentally appropriate practices that incorporate "best practices" and are educational, enriching, support children's social development and promote physical fitness and good nutrition. Each program is customized to fit each schools and communities needs. Educational enrichment activities include homework assistance/tutoring, reading, writing, science, and technology. Recreational activities include art, music, cooking, and drama. Our grant programs were developed using best practices that have been identified through research and evaluation and are evidence based. The most comprehensive review of best practices in after-school programming for all ages is found in Working for Children and Families: Safe and Smart After School Programs (U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice) In its section on components of exemplary after school programs, the report highlights the following elements that "ensure children's continued growth, development and learning through the preadolescent and adolescent school years. Our A.C.C.E.S.S. program's is based on these principles and include: 1) Goal setting, strong management and sustainability - ASP has a strong management team comprised of educational professionals with over 200+ years of experience in the childcare field. A.S.P. management personnel establish goals for all grant programs and curriculum used and defines intended outcomes. Our company also develops effective, meaningful communication between all stakeholders (students, families, school administration and community). This is accomplished by frequently meeting with school administration to discuss program effectiveness and goals, by serving as members of School Advisory Councils and by participating in school and community events. 2) Quality after-school staffing - ASP has an intensive interview/screening process for all job applicants. Our goal is to hire skilled and qualified staff that has some experience working with children. Our programs maintain a lower staff to child ratio then that required by state law (1:10 for Pre-K children, 1:20 for children Grades K-5) Our programs also maintain small group size (maximum 20 children) ASP also provides extensive professional development and training to all its staff members. This includes 4.5 hours of hands-on, interactive Orientation on Guidelines for Working with Children, Company Policy and Procedures, Behavior Management and Developmentally Appropriate Activities. A second training is also conducted during the school year after direct support staff (counselors, assistants and directors) have worked in our program. Additional Trainings conducted by ASP include CPR and First Aid, Anti-Bullying, Child Abuse and Neglect and curriculum trainings for After School Kidz Lit and our SPARK physical fitness program. All management personnel are also required to take a special management training course based on the philosophy of the One Minute Manager. 3) Attention to safety, health and nutrition. ASP strives to create safe space with adequate materials at each school site. ASP also partners with The Broward School District to provide free, nutritional snacks to students at all schools that participate in the National School Lunch program and was approved to participate in the After School Snack program for Title 1 schools not participating in the National program. During the summer, ASP programs participate in the Summer Food Program through the FDOE ensuring that each child receives a healthy snack and lunch according to USDA guidelines. 4) Effective Partnerships - ASP is proud of its numerous partnerships with Broward County schools, The Broward Children's Services Council, 211 First Call for Help, Family Central, The Jim Moran Foundation, the United Way, Junior Achievement, The Boys and Girls Page 3

6 Club, The City of Dania Beach, March of Dimes and Toys for Tots. Staff members also actively participate in school and community events 5) Strong Family Involvement - Our programs actively encourage parent participation. Bi-monthly, families receive a copy of our company publication After School Parent Gazette which consists of important program information and works by the students. The majority of our programs hold "Meet & Greet" nights where parents are invited to meet our after school director and staff and learn more about the program. Many ASP programs also have special shows featuring the children which are widely attended by the student's families. Our company also has experience in planning and providing successful educational workshops for the parents on family literacy and technology. 6) Enriching learning opportunities: ASP utilizes curriculum recommended by The Children's Services County, The Broward School District and the 21st CCLC Learning Community. However, ASP management personnel are constantly researching new innovative curriculums to be used in their programs. ASP also provides a variety of enriching learning opportunities that include hands-on interactive workshops on Early Release Days and field trips to some of South Florida's best loved educational attractions. 7) Linkage between school day and after school personnel ASP employs several school day employees in its programs including teachers and paraprofessionals. 8) Evaluation of program progress and effectiveness - ASP continuously monitors and evaluates its sites. ASP assigns Area Coordinators to its programs who frequently visit each of the programs in their area to monitor and evaluate them using an ASP developed site evaluation. In addition programs are independently evaluated by the Broward County School District Before & After School Department personnel, The Children's Services Council, the 21st CCLC evaluation team and Broward County Child Care and Licensing monitors. All of our independent evaluations have received good monitoring findings. 9) Provide Mentoring Opportunities -Many ASP programs provide mentors to students from the community, including High School volunteers and the Broward Grandparents Association 10) Increase attendance of participants - ASP has established procedures to ensure consistent attendance of students enrolled in its programs. These include positive reinforcement, recognition programs and parent contact if a child has an unexplained absence for 3 days. 11) Respond to diversity of background and experiences of young people - ASP provides learning opportunities, training and other professional development opportunities to increase the ability of staff to interact with people from diverse populations. 12) Enhance the role of young people in community programs - At all ASP programs children are taught that they can make a difference in the community and participate in service learning projects that include - collection of food, clothes, toys, and school supplies as well as school and community beautification projects. 13) Human Relationships - All ASP personnel receive training on relating to children in positive ways. This training includes treating children with respect and learning to listen to what they say, making children feel welcome and comfortable, responding to children with acceptance and appreciation and interacting/engaging with children. Our evidenced based programs are data driven with proven outcomes in promoting student achievement. The latest independent evaluation for Children's Services Maximizing Out of School Time Programs -indicated that of the 1,900 children served, 86% of the children maintained or improved their basic reading skills and 96% of the students demonstrated an improvement in their basic math skills. ASP s results from the Children's Services Council (CSC) indicated the following outcomes for : 100% of the children remained safe. 97% of the children improved basic math skills. 92% of the children maintained or improved their basic reading skills. 92% of the children demonstrated improved social skills and interactions with peers and adults. 98% of the children improved homework completion. Page 4

7 At ASP we believe that All Children Can Excel, Shine and Succeed and should have A.C.C.E.S.S. to a safe, educational out of school time program that promotes academic success, positive social skills and family and community involvement. Our A.C.C.E.S.S program provides services, support and activities that prepare children to be successful in school while ensuring that they have the social, emotional, and intellectual tools to attain academic success. Research studies have proven repeatedly that children from low-income families who do not participate in a safe, supervised, educational out of school time program are more likely to fail in school, engage in juvenile crime and drug abuse and have a higher dropout rate then children enrolled in out of school time programs. Our A.C.C.E.S.S. program meets the United Way of Broward County's goals for both the Education and Income impact area. A recent study by the National Institute of Out of School time suggests a correlation between frequent attendance in out of school time activities and positive outcomes, including an increase in academic achievement, school attendance, time spent on homework, extracurricular activities, improved effort in school and better school behavior. Our A.C.C.E.S.S. program also provides students from low-income families the opportunity and skills necessary to positively impact student achievement in a safe, caring environment. This data supported after school learning program will decrease the risk factors and positively impact education. However, at the same time our program will have a positive impact a family's income. Many parents are unable to work or attend school between the hours of 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. By providing a safe, affordable after school program for their children, parents would be able to seek employment; increase the number of hours worked or attend school. This program allows families to become more stable, self-sufficient and prosperous. Our grant programs were developed using best practices that have been identified through research and evaluation and are evidence based. The most comprehensive review of best practices in after-school programming for all ages is found in Working for Children and Families: Safe and Smart After School Programs (U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice) In its section on components of exemplary after school programs, the report highlights the following elements that "ensure children's continued growth, development and learning through the preadolescent and adolescent school years. ASP has a strong management team comprised of educational professionals with over 200+ years of experience in the childcare field. A.S.P. management personnel establish goals for all grant programs and curriculum used and defines intended outcomes. Our company also develops effective, meaningful communication between all stakeholders (students, families, school administration and community). This is accomplished by frequently meeting with school administration to discuss program effectiveness and goals, by serving as members of School Advisory Councils and by participating in school and community events. Page 5

8 Section 3: Challenges and Opportunities What are the major challenges your school has faced in the last 3 years and how have you addressed those challenges? Narrative: ASP must continue to access grants that will provide funding for the increasing number of at risk children for out of school time programs. ASP must continue to provide and expand summer camp programs in order for families to be able to work while their children are engaged in safe summer activities. Human Resources-Orientation programs for new personnel must address the areas of retention of personnel and providing them with the required and needed in-service training. In order for ASP to Increase its market share, we must also increase our loyalty, revenues and intellectual capital. Some of the challenges we face and the strategies to address them are listed below: Challenges: 1. The current economy has resulted in fewer families needing or being able to afford child care. 2. Schools wanting to operate their own after care programs as a source of revenue. 3. Increased costs and fewer available facilities to lease. 4. Maintain program quality while continuing to expand our business. 5. Locating additional grants and funding sources. 6. Increased demands for student achievement gains raising standards. 7. Finding or developing new markets for child care related businesses. 8. Finding affordable facilities to house our expanding programs. Strategies: 1. Continue to search online and in other venues for potential grant opportunities. 2. Explore other fund-raising activities to help reduce tuition costs for low income families (ie: golf tournament). 3. Develop a talking points for schools to highlight the advantages of having a private provider for their aftercare program. 4. Explore alternate sites: parks, community centers, churches, etc. to use for child care programs. 5. Continue to expand and improve our various orientation and training programs. 6. Continue to think out of the box for expanding our new markets (ie: pre-schools in public school facilities and expanding SES to other states and districts). 7. Review and analyze student achievement data to ensure that our curriculum and teaching strategies are producing positive student achievement gains. Page 6

9 Section 4: Conclusion What is your school most proud of and why? Is there any other information you would like to share with the public and the school community? Narrative: We are most proud of the excellent ratings this program continues to receive and excellent assessments and superior grant monitoring reports from the School Board. Through child licensing and code enforcement, our inspections continue to surpass expectations. We are proud to be Broward's only after school provider to be accredited by the prestigious, nationally recognized Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). We are also proud to be the largest after school provider in Broward County. We have expanded our quality after school programs to Collier, Orange, and Dade counties. Our community involvement extends into the schools through school advisory teams, Junior achievement, boys and Girls clubs, and we are sponsors for county and district level award functions and recognitions. We have been fundraisers for county, and other counties in need of assistance through relief efforts. We are also extremely proud of our (Supplemental Educational Services) SES program that provides free tutoring to students that qualify. Students have shown significant learning gains while participating in our program. We are servicing students in numerous counties in Florida as well as in other states. The state of Florida has awarded us with an excellent rating. Page 7