To Realize Bold Solutions That Dramatically Improve The Success Of Youth In The Mobile Area | |
Every child in Mobile County deserves to receive an excellent education. | |
For Mobile to truly thrive in the future, its young people must be ready for employment in the thousands of high-wage, high-demand jobs in our region. | |
To effectively address the challenges facing our youth, our schools need the support and engagement of our entire community. | |
Career-Ready Youth: MAEF Workforce Center
The MAEF Workforce Center’s inaugural year was nothing short of amazing. Our participants had the chance to develop both professionally and personally, gaining invaluable experiences and skills. Throughout the year, we provided our participants with a diverse range of opportunities to enhance their skill sets and knowledge:
-
Essential Skills Training: Participants received training in crucial workplace skills that are in high demand across various industries.
-
Industry Tours: We organized tours to different industries, giving participants a firsthand look at potential career paths.
-
Financial Literacy: Workshops on financial management helped participants understand and manage their finances better.
-
Mental Health Awareness: We emphasized the importance of mental well-being through dedicated awareness programs.
-
Continuous Improvement Workshop: This workshop focused on fostering a mindset of constant growth and improvement.
-
MAPs Certifications: This qualifies them for careers in industries of their interest.
All these opportunities have opened numerous career possibilities for our participants and serve as a testament to their hard work and dedication. As we close out this incredible year, we are excited to celebrate our participants' achievements on June 4th, with a "Completion Ceremony." This event will honor participants from both cohorts 1 and 2, recognizing their hard work and accomplishments.
The success of our inaugural year sets a strong foundation for the future of the MAEF Workforce Center. We look forward to continuing our mission of empowering individuals through comprehensive training and development programs.
Thank you to our invaluable partners for being part of this incredible journey.
| |
Engaged Community: State Updates, Every Child Alabama Coalition, & I-Lead Youth
State Education Updates
Over the last several weeks, updates from the Alabama Department of Education and state legislature make it clear there is a lot to celebrate and look forward to. Highlights include:
- The 2023 high school graduation rate is 90.04%, up from 88.21% in 2022. The 2023 college and career readiness rate rose 5% to 84.2%.
- 91% of third graders in Alabama are reading on grade level according to this year's ACAP scores. This is up from 83% last year.
- The FY 2025 Education Trust Fund budget & appropriations were signed into law last month. Some notable items:
- $185.4 million for the Office of School Readiness for First Class Pre-K, a $3.9 million increase over FY24.
- Alabama Literacy Act / Alabama Reading Initiative: $142.8 million, a $48 million increase over FY24. This increase supports services that were previously funded through federal ESSER dollars that are expiring, including LETRS training in the Science of Reading, Summer Reading Camps, high-quality instructional materials, etc. This is the largest amount of state funding for reading in the state’s history.
- Alabama Numeracy Act (ANA): $68 million to support ANA implementation through the ALSDE Office of Math Improvement. This was higher than the FY24 allocation of $40 million and the department’s request of $63.8 million. This funding will be used to pay for math coaches in full and limited support schools, the Alabama Summer Mathematics Achievement Program in full support schools, summer math camps, and high-quality instructional materials.
- Mobile Area Education Foundation: $800,000 to continue a partnership between the Mobile Area Education Foundation and Bishop State Community College to train 18-24 year olds for high-wage, high-demand jobs in South Alabama.
-
Sources: A+ Budget Watch, A+ April Updates, A+ May Updates, al.com Education Lab
Every Child Alabama Coalition
Alabama's current school funding formula (called the Foundation Program) is a 30-year old model that does not provide much flexibility or adequate resources to support all learners. Over the past several weeks, the state house & senate have passed resolutions stating the legislature would study what it would take to move Alabama to a more modern student-based funding model. A state-wide group of community leaders and organizations - in collaboration with A+ Education Partnership - have come together to raise awareness and build support for this issue. You can read more about the current school funding model, what is possible, and the Every Child Alabama Coalition here.
I-Lead Youth Call to Action
I-Lead Youth, an advocacy group led by a group of Mobile-area high school students, is proud to share its 2024 Youth Call to Action. The Call to Action was created after numerous reflection, brainstorming, and feedback sessions with high school students from across Mobile County. You can read the Call to Action & supporting student survey data here.
The I-Lead Student Advisory Board is now ready to turn its Call to Action into real action with the support of the community. If you have expertise or a special interest in school culture, mental health for young people, community safety, or college/career preparation, we would love to partner with you to help guide our Student Advisory Board in designing solutions for Mobile's children. For more info, contact Amy Owens.
| | |
Excellent Schools: Full-Service Community Schools
The first year of implementing the full-service community schools strategy by the Mobile Area Community Schools Taskforce (MACST) has provided partnerships and services that have benefitted the Chickasaw City Schools and ACCEL Academy and gained national recognition. Throughout the year, many partnerships have been forged that emphasize the unique aspects of the Four Pillars of Community Schools, each contributing to the holistic development of our students and community:
-
Integrated Student Supports: Through partnerships with Franklin Primary Health Clinic (FPHC) and Genesis Counseling and Consulting, MASCT provided onsite physical and mental health services. The physical health services provided by the FPHC mobile unit included health and wellness screenings, vision screenings, primary physician services, and referral services to health specialties, including dental. The mental health services are provided by onsite mental health therapists, including small group sessions, targeted individual interventions, and crisis management. These services were available to both students and teachers.
-
Expanded and Enriched Learning Time: MACST schools expanded their capacity to implement effective expanded learning programs through critical partnerships. These partnerships include local barbers and cosmetologists to enrich and emphasize real-world learning and community problem-solving. Additionally, schools provided high-quality afterschool enrichment and remediation activities to support in closing the students’ academic learning gaps.
-
Active Family and Community Engagement: – Families, caregivers, and community members are partners in creating dynamic, flexible community schools. MACST schools engagement is not related to a specific project or program but is ongoing and extends beyond volunteerism. Family and community engagement included monthly parent meetings, which focused on community resources available to families and addressed current community concerns like gang violence and mental health. Community engagement was extended to address food insecurities by conducting food distributions in partnership with local agencies, Feeding the Gulf Coast, and Love All Food Pantry.
-
Collaborative Leadership and Practices: The MACST schools formed Local School Committees, which met at least monthly. These meetings, attended by parents, students, teachers, principals, and community partners, are instrumental in building a culture of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility.
The national recognition of the Mobile Area Community Schools Taskforce by the United States Department of Education reinforces MAEF's belief that “Every child in Mobile County deserves to receive an excellent education. To achieve this, schools must embrace best practices and innovations in education, which challenge the status quo and accelerate student learning."
MACST looks forward to the continued realization of our Shared Vision:
We envision collaborating and connecting with various stakeholders to provide essential services and supports that will ultimately produce meaningful community members.
| |
|
Thank you for considering a contribution to the Mobile Area Education Foundation. With every dollar contributed toward financing and enriching our programs, your investment in MAEF is an effective and efficient way to be engaged in the betterment of public education for all children in Mobile County.
If you prefer to send a check to support and ensure every child reaches their potential, send checks payable to Mobile Area Education Foundation to:
Mobile Area Education Foundation
P.O. BOX 16783
Mobile, AL 36616
Thank you for your support!
| |
|
P.O. Box 16783
Mobile, AL 36616
Office: (251) 476-0002
Fax: (251) 476-0046
| | | | | |
