Mobile Area Education Foundation News

2015

October Newsletter

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Welcome to the Mobile Area Education Foundation's October 2015 enewsletter. MAEF is Mobile's only community based non-profit leading a county-wide partnership of citizens, businesses, public schools, and public agencies working together to ensure all children are given the opportunity to succeed, experience a rigorous and relevant education, and graduate college- and career-ready. It is important to us to make sure all of our partners and the community know the state of our public education system. Together we can work to make vital improvements, and help build community schools that are on the right track to graduating all students ready for college and career.

AM/NS Calvert Helps MAEF Bring STEM Education to North Mobile County

In order to make an impact on Mobile County as a whole, we look to form partnerships with regional business and industry leaders. These partnerships allow MAEF to better focus our community on what is important and what needs to be done to help move the needle in the right direction for our public schools. AM/NS Calvert has joined forces with us to help ensure the students who attend public schools in the northern part of our county have all the tools needed to be successful in school and in their journey after high school graduation.

AM/NS Calvert has awarded a $54,000 grant to MAEF to support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in North Mobile County elementary and middle schools. With these funds science and math teachers will receive rigorous professional development and coaching that will allow them to integrate STEM lessons into their every day teaching. This work helps introduce STEM to students early and often.

We thank AM/NS Calvert for their partnership and for their willingness to support their local community schools. In addition to supporting MAEF, AM/NS Calvert is collaborating with the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and Mobile Bay Keeper.

The Grounds Partners with MAEF for 2015-16 School Year

Having leadership opportunities while in high school help students perfect the essential skills that are needed to graduate prepared for college and careers. MAEF has partnered with the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds (The Grounds) to continue to offer the Superintendent Student Advisory Council (SSAC) for the 2015-16 school year.

"It is important for us to be able to give back to the community that supports us during our 10-day event," The Grounds Board President Mike Milford said. "We look at this as an opportunity to have a part in building the future leaders of Mobile. "

The SSAC is a program for 24 Mobile County public high school junior and seniors that represent each of the 12 high schools. These representatives meet monthly with the MCPSS Superintendent, participate in service learning projects, and are MAEF's student ambassadors.

"We are very grateful to The Grounds for their sponsorship of SSAC for this school year," the SSAC Coordinator Janelle Adams said. "This will allow the SSAC to conduct an Equity Report to determine if all MCPSS high school students are provided with the same opportunities for success in the classroom in order to graduate ready for college and career. "

This is the first partnership between MAEF and The Grounds. The SSAC has been a MAEF program for over 15 years.

The Work of MAEF Continues to Progress

MAEF has been very busy working to make sure Mobile County students have the tools and resources needed to be successful in school as they prepare to Graduate Ready. Our programs are underway and we are glad to announce the following early accomplishments for the year:

Over 80 students enrolled in the Evening Education Options Program and 4 high school graduates
Over 100 community leaders attended the Education by the Numbers Learning Forum
Over 175 Reading Buddy volunteers trained and placed in MCPSS Elementary Schools
Over 80 MCPSS schools are now trained collaborative Partner in Education feeder plan schools
9 MCPSS High School Signature Academies launched
8 STEM Leadership Schools launched
Over 20 Engaging Youth in Engineering clubs launched
Superintendent Student Advisory Council launch High School Equity Project
County-wide College Application Week done in partnership with Lumina Foundation and EDU, Inc.

We are working to grow these numbers each and every day! The work of MAEF enhances the every day classroom for our students, and helps to provide teachers with the resources they need to be the very best every school day.

RAMP UP to Graduation Work Continues

The Research Alliance for Multiple Pathways (RAMP) work that saw success over five years is able to continue in a more focused capacity at Pillans Middle School. RAMP now has focused heavily on providing support to students who are taking 8th grade Algebra.

Twenty-four 8th grade students, who were randomly selected, are receiving individualized instruction by RAMP teachers twice a week for the 2015-16 school year. The program allows for RAMP teachers to collaborate with Pillans math teachers and administration to help ensure students progress and excel in Algebra prior to entering high school.

Passing Algebra in the 8th grade is a key indicator on whether or not a student is on track to high school graduation. As MAEF counties to support efforts to ensure all students graduate ready for college and career, the RAMP program keeps us on the pathway to success.

College Application Week is Near

College Application Week for Mobile County public school seniors is November 3rd - 7th, 2015 . We encourage Seniors from all high schools to complete at least two college applications or enroll in a workforce credentialing program. We invite you to encourage area high school seniors to take the time and apply to a college or university during College Application Week. Together we can help ensure their pathway to excellence continues after graduation day!

Help MAEF Make 500 Reading Buddy Volunteers a Reality

MAEF has set a goal to have 500 Reading Buddy volunteers in elementary schools this year, and we need your help! If you are looking for a fulfilling volunteer experience where you can change the life of a student, but also change yours as well then you need to become a Reading Buddy.

Reading aloud with a child who needs to improve their literacy skills is one of the most effective ways to do so. The MAEF Reading Buddy program pairs volunteers with elementary school students who need extra time to work on reading skills. Our "Buddies" commit at least one hour a week for a school year to help students improve their skills. Reading is fundamental in fostering a love of learning, and assisting MAEF as we strive to support the essential indicators of what is needed to graduate ready.

If you are interested in learning more about the program or becoming a Reading Buddy contact Lee Williams by email or by calling 251.470.5219. New Reading Buddy Volunteer Orientations are underway. The last two trainings for this month are scheduled for Tuesday, October 27th at 11 a.m., and Wednesday, October 28th at 1 p.m., at the MAEF Offices. November new Reading Buddy training dates will be announced soon. Help change a life and become a Reading Buddy today.

Support MAEF

As a vital partner to public schools, MAEF innovates and creates programing that enhances the quality of education our students receive, builds up our teachers and principals, and provides alternative pathways to obtaining a high school diploma. Investing in MAEF means that our community will be provided with accurate actionable data for assessing the effectiveness of our initiative through it's data driven platform; MAEF will continue to develop and coordinate strategic partners like you; and secure matching funds through grants and contracts to make your donations go farther. Visit our website to make your contribution or sign up to volunteer today.

Mobile Area Education Foundation

http://www.maef.net

The Mobile Area Education Foundation, founded in 1992, is Mobile's only community based non-profit leading a county-wide partnership of citizens, businesses, public schools, and public agencies working together to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to succeed, experience a rigorous and relevant education, graduating college- and career-ready.