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Use This Data in Your Afterschool Program's "Case for Support"
In a new report from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), researchers Joseph Durlak of Loyola University Chicago and Roger Weissberg of the University of Illinois at Chicago show that youth who participate in after-school programs that use evidence-based approaches to enhance personal and social skills show significant improvement when compared to their peers.
Based on work funded by the William T. Grant Foundation, the report is the product of the researchers' meta-analysis of 73 evaluations of after-school programs. Durlak and Weissberg found that youth programs were most successful at improving youth outcomes when their activities were sequenced, active, focused, and explicit (SAFE). When compared to programs that did not have these characteristics, SAFE programs improved youth's feelings of self-confidence, positive feelings toward school, grades, and achievement test scores.
"This review is enormously important for after-school policymakers and practitioners," said Robert C. Granger, president of the William T. Grant Foundation. "It shows it is possible for after-school programs to affect a range of outcomes that are important to school and non-school audiences alike. It also underscores the importance of program design."
The report, titled "The Impact of After-School Programs That Promote Personal and Social Skills," is available on CASEL's website here. The executive summary can be found here.
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MetLife Foundation's Ambassadors in Education Award
The MetLife Foundation Ambassadors in Education Award recognizes teachers who have undertaken extraordinary, and voluntary, efforts to connect with their students' communities and to make themselves an active member of their community. Recognition comes in the form of a customized crystal apple and a grant award of $5,000. The award is a project of the National Civic League - a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to strengthening citizen democracy and sponsored by MetLife Foundation, established for the purpose of strengthening communities, promoting good health and improving education. Nominees must be a middle or high school teacher in one of 25 participating school districts.
Due date: March 14, 2007
Amazon.com "Wish for Lit" Contest
Amazon.com is pleased to introduce the "Wish for Lit" contest, where we will give over $20,000 in Amazon.com products to 3 winning libraries in the United States.
Each winning library will receive a $5,000 gift certificate for Amazon.com products, as well as up to $2,000 of Amazon.com products that are on the library's Amazon.com Wish List.
To apply, simply create a Library Wish List and fill out this form by February 16th, 2007. The three winners will be selected by a panel of 5 judges selected by the American Library Association Chapter Relations Committee. The winners will be announced on April 6th, on the Amazon Librarians' Store web site.
Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation Grants Program
The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF) focuses its efforts on programs that are designed to improve the quality of life in the communities served by the cruise industry. CICF supports programs that enhance educational opportunities for youth, including those designed to improve literacy, teach basic life skills, and promote good citizenship. The Foundation also supports academic enrichment opportunities aimed at enhancing student proficiencies in reading, math and science.
Due date: CICF grant applications should be submitted at the beginning of each calendar year or at the beginning of each quarter. Grant submissions will be reviewed on a quarterly basis for final selection. The full review process may take up to six months.
Johns Hopkins University Excellence in Summer Learning Award
The Excellence in Summer Learning Award recognizes outstanding summer programs that demonstrate excellence in accelerating academic achievement and promoting positive development for young people between kindergarten and twelfth grade. The award is given annually based on an application and interview process that elicits information on a program's history, mission, goals, operations, management, staff development, partnerships, results, and sustainability. The Excellence in Summer Learning Award seeks to find and draw national attention to exemplary programs providing high-quality summer learning experiences for youth in their communities.
The award does not give preference to applicants based on program location or size. Programs serving disadvantaged communities or populations will receive additional consideration.
The mission of the Center for Summer Learning is to create opportunities for high quality summer learning for all young people. A part of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, the Center builds public support, improves the quality and availability of summer programs, and influences policies and funding to ensure that all youth have access to high-quality learning opportunities during the summer months.
Due date: February 12, 2007
Pew Partnership for Civic Change
The 2007 Civic Change Award focuses on a significant challenge facing communities and asks how communities can help meet this challenge. Dropout prevention is the challenge - if our communities are to thrive and prosper they desperately need their young people to finish school. Communities with greater numbers of high school graduates are more attractive to businesses and are less burdened by the costs associated with poor health and unemployment. Unfortunately, schools alone cannot change the odds. Entire communities need to recognize the potential dangers of dropping out and work to help students finish their schooling.
Due date: March 31, 2007
Hope you have a good week.
Thank you,
Joe
"We're all about helping teachers."
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