Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
inspire
teach
connect
Reflections on access to the American Dream and current challenges and opportunities facing Citizen Schools
March 1, 2005
dream
From 1870 to 1970 opportunity expanded dramatically in America as a clear majority of citizens gained access to the American Dream of educational and economic opportunity.
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% High School Graduation Rate Infant Mortality Poverty Rate Among Senior Citizens 1870 1970
Title
10 December 2013
Title
10 December 2013
21st CENTURY
In the 21st century economy, education is more important to economic progress than ever before, and economic wealth is highly predictive of educational advancement.
College/High School Wage Gap
$25.00 H.S. Grads Coll. Grads
Progression of Three Groups of 8th Graders from 1988 Through to College Graduation (Bachelors Degree) by 2000
$20.00
70 60 50 40 30 20 10
7% Complete College Within 12 Years 24% Complete College Within 12 Years
$15.00
$10.00
$5.00
0
8th Graders from Lowest Socio-Economic Quartile 8th Graders from Middle 8th Graders from Top SocioTwo Socio-Economic Economic Quartile Quartile
Note: All hourly wages are in constant 2001 dollars. From chapter 3 of Levy-Murnane, The New Division of Labor (2004).
Title
10 December 2013
For lower and moderate income Americans, the increasing inter-relationship between wealth and educational opportunity creates a vicious cycle that is reinforcing and widening both economic and educational gaps between upper and lower income families.
Title
10 December 2013
For an organization that cares about education and opportunity, whats the best way to make an impact?
New efforts to open the American Dream to more people will need to build from three inter-related strategies:
Organizational Reform Political Advocacy and Reform Cultural Reform and Behavioral Change
These strategies and their limitations in expanding opportunity can be seen in three case studies:
Habitat for Humanity Head Start Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Title
10 December 2013
Title
10 December 2013
Informed instincts as to what we need to do over the next five years in the area of Program Reform, Growth Reform, and Financial Model Reform.
Program Reform
Do more with apprenticeships. We can be the best in the world at connecting adults and kids for hands-on, real-world learning and skill-building Clarify and better specify outcome goals and go after them relentlessly.
College success
Immediate Goals New Basic Skills Readiness to succeed in a rigorous high school program
Title
10 December 2013
Tighten affiliation selection and add a franchise/LLC model to accommodate growth beyond the capacity of affiliate partners
Put minimal energy into growing through Spread (as opposed to Scale) in short-term
Title
10 December 2013
Title
10 December 2013
Leaders from all sectors government, education public safety, philanthropy, business, labor, and human services pledge to work together to ensure that all children have access to productive learning and enrichment opportunities after school. I strongly believe that Citizen Schools is an investment in the entire community, which will both strengthen and expand civic and business partnerships.
Timothy Murray, Mayor, Worcester
I had the opportunity to visit the program and was impressed with the products and performances that resulted from the apprenticeships. Of greatest interest to me was the ability of the apprentices to communicate about their learning. I want to support its growth and vision.
Thomas W. Payzant, Superintendent, Boston Public Schools
Citizen Schools builds real-world skills through an effective mentoring program that I believe needs to be at the center of our long-term economic development strategy in New Bedford.
James Mathes, President, New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce
www.citizenschools.org
Citizen Schools works to dramatically change the long-term life trajectories of underserved youth, helping young people navigate toward high school completion and college access. Starting in middle school, Citizen Schools leverages out-of-school time to reinforce academics and to connect young people with volunteers from businesses, civic organizations, and communities, who teach hands-on apprenticeships. Citizen Schools unique and rigorous blend of teaching basic and real -world skills results in Title 10 December 2013 10 positive relationships and directs young people toward workforce and civic leadership in the 21 st Century.