MCESA Re-Engaging Disconnected Youth Summit II Breakout Pathway 2: Educational Momentum “Multiple Pathways to Graduation for Disconnected Youth” Chekemma Fulmore-Townsend President and CEO Philadelphia Youth Network

Defining Educational Momentum  Helping youth reach early and frequent education milestones in addition to attaining longer term education goals (e.g., HS degree, GED, postsecondary credential)  Collective community action to ensure all students achieve post- secondary success.  Urges leaders to create seamless pathways, supports and various educational options to meet the needs of our vulnerable populations.

Philadelphia’s Collective Impact Approach to Educational Momentum  Complex social issues cannot be solved by any one organization acting alone.  Requires cross-sector stakeholders to work collaboratively to coordinate efforts around clearly-defined, agreed-upon goals.  Continuous communication and the alignment of mutually- reinforcing activities: Accelerated Schools The Re-engagement Center Education Support Center (via DHS) Post-secondary pathways and career connections

Educational Momentum Breakout Sub-Topics MULTIPLE PATHWAYS TO GRADUATION FOR DISCONNECTED YOUTH Chekemma J. Fulmore-Townsend; Philadelphia Youth Network President & CEO RE-ENGAGING LEARNERS Dr. Charles Mojkowski, Independent Consultant and Senior Associate at Big Picture Learning HELPING AT-RISK YOUTH TRANSITION THROUGH EDUCATIONAL MILESTONES Dianna Harrier; Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates Director of Operations Trinetta Lipsey, Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates Director of Operations Program Manager Graciela Candia, President of Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates Director of Operations IMPROVING & DESIGNING PATHWAYS FOR UNDER-PREPARED LEARNERS AT OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES Rachel Pleasants McDonnell; Jobs for the Future Senior Project Manager

Multiple Pathways to Graduation for Disconnected Youth Philadelphia offers a variety of flexible options for students who have previously left school or are struggling to graduate. Multiple Pathways to Graduation options provide students who have previously dropped out (or those with low high school credits) a chance to return to school through an "educational pathway."

Philadelphia’s Re-Engagement Center Provides young people and adults with "one stop" access to information and services leading to re-enrollment in a high school diploma or GED program. Trained, knowledgeable staff support disconnected youth by: Evaluating their academic needs and goals Directing youth to the right academic program Offering guidance to increase the student's academic success

Philadelphia’s citywide campaign to understand, focus public attention on and, most importantly, resolve Philadelphia's dropout crisis. Collaborative approach to dropout prevention and re-engagement.

MPG Program Options Gateway to College Dual-enrollment program for students (16-21) who have dropped out of school, allowing them to earn their high school diploma and college credits simultaneously.

MPG Program Options Educational Options Programs (EOPs) “Twilight Programs” Allows students and adults over the age of 17 to continue earning credits towards a high school diploma through afternoon classes.

MPG Program Options Accelerated High School Programs A method for students to get back on track and earn credits towards graduation in less than 3 years.

MPG Program Options Community-Based GED and Literacy Programs Resources for earning a GED, and other options for overage students interested in furthering their education.

MPG Program Options – Transition Services Transition Schools Alternative school settings for students who have committed serious violations of the Code of Conduct Referred through the Response to Instruction and Intervention process (RtII) Program for educational, social, and emotional development Philadelphia Learning Academies (PLAs) Educational sites for students who have been expelled, returning from court-sponsored placement Referred through the RtII process Structured classrooms and personalized learning strategies

Best Practice 1: Cross-Sector Collaborative Led by a Strong Backbone Organization Mayor’s Office of Education School District of Philadelphia Department of Human Services Community College of Philadelphia Family Court Philanthropies Advocacy Organizations Researchers Literacy Experts Program Providers Youth

Best Practice 2: Maintaining strong working partnerships and consistent engagement among top leaders from youth-serving city agencies School District of Philadelphia Department of Human Services Mayor’s Office of Education Community College of Philadelphia Family Court Philadelphia Housing Authority Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office

Best Practice 2: Maintaining strong working partnerships and consistent engagement among top leaders from youth- serving city agencies Why This Works:  Improved coordination of services and better alignment across sectors for disconnected youth  Greater coordination of youth-workforce programming  Increased focus on the needs of youth facing life challenges, such as poverty, involvement with the public care systems, and disengagement from school  Heightened capacity among organizations and business partners that actually deliver the services and provide work experiences to young people.

Best Practice 3: Leveraging funding to support dropout prevention and re-engagement efforts, convening efforts and collaborative engagement Suggestions:  Develop a comprehensive long-term plan that focuses on expanding, enhancing and diversifying relationships with local, regional, and national funders.  Identify potential new revenue sources and models that could potentially be used to support the development of innovative program models, systems, or policies.

Best Practice 4: Engaging in joint efforts with existing partners to preserve and/or align resources dedicated to supporting opportunity youth  Shared vision for change  Common understanding of the problem and a joint approach to solving it through agreed upon actions  Mutual Benefit

Best Practice 5: Advocacy efforts to protect and expand a variety of Multiple Pathways to Graduation (MPG) Models and Credential Attainment Options Unified approach and strategic planning of action steps Strategic engagement of School District leadership Strong public stance

Best Practice 6: Research to Drive Practice and Engage Key Partners and Stakeholders

Best Practice 7: Recruiting and Engaging New Collaborative Members from Other Youth-Serving Sectors Strategic recruitment of new members to bring a youth leadership and voice to the collaborative The Philadelphia Youth Commission

Best Practice 8: Cultivating and Empowering Youth Voice  Youth participation in research initiatives (e.g., focus groups, interviews, etc.) to ensure youth perspective on opportunities and programming for disconnected youth  Youth Ambassadors

Project U-Turn Impact Fourteen percentage-point increase in on-time, public-school graduation rates (from 52% in 2006 to 64% in 2013) The creation of more than 2,000 new seats in Alternative Education programs The establishment of system-level approaches to promote educational success A cumulative investment of more than $200 million towards Project U-Turn prevention and recovery efforts

Opportunities and Challenges OPPORTUNITY: Importance of Champion Building  Reductions in Infrastructure  Shifting priorities and unforeseen transition among partners  Mutual benefit CHALLENGE: Data Requests Have Hidden Costs  Data-driven strategies and decision making to support disconnected youth

Survey Links and Shared Results Page Links Educational Momentum Survey (Use this one in case the tiny URL does not work) Educational Momentum Shared Results (Use this one in case the tiny URL does not work)