Partnering for Success: School-Community Teams Take On the Dropout Crisis

Date
October 15, 2008
Time
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location
City Year National Headquarters, 287 Columbus Street, Boston, MA
Details

Presented by the:

Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
Youth Transitions Task Force
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Jobs for the Future


Join us as we spotlight models of effective collaboration between community-based organizations and schools and discuss their successes and challenges.

Session Overview

It is clear that the challenge of overcoming the dropout crisis in Massachusetts is too great for schools to overcome alone. Partnerships between schools and community-based organizations hold great promise for dropout prevention and recovery because of the power of the combined resources and expertise they can bring to students. Yet, sometimes the cultural differences between these public and private entities can present challenges. This forum will highlight models of effective collaboration between community-based organizations and school districts and will showcase strategies for overcoming challenges. The goal of this forum is to share promising practices - and the school or district level policies that enable them - from community-based organizations, school and district leaders, and local and state policymakers.

The panel includes four initiatives which were selected as models of highly collaborative partnerships that provide innovative strategies to combat the dropout crisis. This event is intended to assist youth-serving community-based organizations, schools, and school districts in working more closely together to meet the needs of students who have dropped out of school, or are at-risk of dropping out of school.

This policy forum is the third in a series that originated from discussions with the Boston Youth Transitions Task Force. The series focuses on policies and practices designed to address the high school dropout crisis. 

Opening Remarks

Carol Johnson, Superintendent, Boston Public Schools
Jeff Howard, Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; Founder & President, Efficacy Institute

Moderated Panel Discussion

Lisa DaPonte, Director, Taunton Youth Court
Victoria Fahlberg, Executive Director, ONE Lowell
Phil Jackson, Director, Boston Public Schools Department of Alternative Education
Roger Oser, Co-Chair, Boston Youth Service Network
Steven Swanger, Director of Resident Services, Cambridge Housing Authority
Moderator: Celina Miranda, Charitable Giving Manager, Bank of New York Mellon

Closing Remarks

Karla Brooks Baehr, Deputy Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE)
Neil Sullivan, Executive Director, Boston Private Industry Council (PIC)


REGISTRATION

To register, call the Rennie Center reservation line at 617-354-0002, ext. 13 or register online by clicking here and completing our online form. Registration is free, however space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.



About the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
The Rennie Center's mission is to develop a public agenda that informs and promotes significant improvement of public education in Massachusetts. Our work is motivated by a vision of an education system that creates the opportunity to educate every child to be successful in life, citizenship, employment and life-long learning. Applying nonpartisan, independent research, and civic engagement, the Center is creating a civil space to foster thoughtful public discourse to inform and shape effective policy.

About the Youth Transitions Task Force
The Youth Transitions Task Force was convened by Mayor Thomas M. Menino in October of 2004 to address the dropout crisis facing Boston and other urban districts throughout the country.  Staffed by the Boston Private Industry Council, the Task Force includes about fifty representatives from the Boston Public Schools, community-based organizations, city departments and state agencies.  The Task Force meets monthly to coordinate activities, including research, mobilization for change, new practices and policy recommendations.   Our research and recommendations are published in Too Big To Be Seen, The Dropout Crisis in Boston and America, and the Social and Fiscal Consequences of Dropping Out.  The Task Force is currently focused on identifying solutions to the problem.

About the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is charged with the responsibility of ensuring improved teaching and learning in all of the Commonwealth's public schools. The Department works to improve the quality of the public education system so that students are adequately prepared for higher education, rewarding employment, continued education, and responsible citizenship. We carry out our mission in partnership with Massachusetts school districts and other organizations that provide educational programs and services. Students, parents, teachers and other educators, elected officials, business and community leaders, and the public all are stakeholders in the work of the Department to improve schools and raise student achievement.

About Jobs for the Future
Jobs for the Future believes that all young people should have a quality high school and postsecondary education, and that all adults should have the skills needed to hold jobs that pay enough to support a family. As a nonprofit research, consulting, and advocacy organization, JFF works to strengthen our society by creating educational and economic opportunity for those who need it most. Through partnerships with states and communities, national and local foundations, and other organizations, JFF accelerates opportunities for people to advance in education and careers through research, analysis, and policy development; practical, on-the-ground projects; and advocacy, communications, and peer learning.