Effective Public/Private Partnerships to Boost Graduation Rates and Post-secondary Success Wisconsin Graduation Summit – December 9, 2009

Goals for this presentation: Outline key elements of Madison’s Mann and Sánchez Scholarship programs Examine program outcomes Identify best practices that lead to success Explore replication possibilities Discuss related efforts

Program Features: Focus on first-generation college-bound students Engagement of family members Active involvement of school district departments –central office –local middle and high schools Endowed funds at local community foundation Corps of community advocates and volunteers

Initial Impetus for Program Creation Personal stories that launched fund creation: –Mann family belief in the role and benefit of public schools –Professor Roberto Sánchez’s desire to honor his parents and cultural heritage

Focus on First-generation College-bound Students Commitment to serving under-represented students Research in pre-college preparation / readiness Addressing financial need as a factor in high school experience Role of staff and mentors as advocates

Engagement of Family Members Signed agreement upon nomination Participation in interview process Scholar orientation meetings Counselor meetings / school conferences Letters of agreement to clarify expectations Regular family gatherings with staff Home visits

Active Involvement of School District Initial endorsement by Board of Education –MOU outlining partnership roles –Ongoing program recognition Allocation of central office staff –Partnerships Department –Accounting Oversight for part-time positions for project operations Middle school criteria-based selection process Engagement of high school staff

Endowed Funds at Local Foundation Initial fund creation with dollar match by Madison Community Foundation Annual fundraising support Donor relations Publicity and student recognition

Corps of Community Advocates / Volunteers Role of Mann family and friends Mann Board of Directors functions Sánchez Advisory Committee assistance Incorporation of Scholar graduates as volunteers

Program Outcomes to Present 75 Scholars enrolled since % high school graduation rate –41 MMSD graduates, one out-of-state graduate –30 currently enrolled in Madison high schools –3 left Madison school district as ninth / tenth graders (not tracked) 90% of MMSD high school graduates enrolled in post-secondary institutions 22 Scholars remain enrolled in undergraduate programs Eight college graduates (Beloit, Brown, Edgewood, UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, Madison College [MATC], Milwaukee Area Technical College, Winona State) Four Scholars currently enrolled in graduate school

Key Best Practices High expectations - clearly and consistently relayed Full staff commitment to success Early intervention – attendance and GPA monitoring –family conferences –tutoring support Focus on pre-college strategies and readiness factors –rigorous curriculum –diversified resume (extra curriculars, volunteer work, summer programming) Creation of “Scholar community” / cohort group Removal of financial barriers to participation Post-secondary tracking

Current Program Replications “Acorn Funds” at Madison Community Foundation –Small-scale donor-directed scholarships –Reading Recovery students and English Language Learners Lussier Community Learning Center –Scholarships for neighborhood student leaders –Funding embedded in recent capital campaign

Related National and Statewide Efforts Discussion of programs directed at support during the high school years Feedback from session participants

Mann Tenth Anniversary Video “Mann Scholars Program: The First Ten Years”

For additional information: Kathy Price – MMSD Partnerships Coordinator / Amy Wallace – Mann Scholars Coordinator /