1. Principals’ Retreat October 7, 2011

2. Goals For Today: Provide context and background for Project LIFT. Offer insight on the strategic plan development. Present a cutting edge human capital strategy and assess interest. Garner your best/most innovative thinking and input to inform strategic plan development. Clarify the Communities In Schools Partnership.

3. Project LIFT: Agenda Overview and Welcome Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone Overview of Project LIFT Defining the District/LIFT Partnership Survey Results & Strategic Planning Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher Processing/Planning/Input Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone Communities In Schools

4. Welcome: Project LIFT’s Biggest Fans Anna Spangler Nelson Stick Williams

5. Project LIFT: Agenda Overview and Welcome Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone Overview of Project LIFT Defining the District/LIFT Partnership Survey Results & Strategic Planning Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher Processing/Planning/Input Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone Communities In Schools

6. Project LIFT: Changing the Odds

7. Project LIFT: Agenda Overview and Welcome Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone Overview of Project LIFT Defining the District/LIFT Partnership Survey Results & Strategic Planning Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher Processing/Planning/Input Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone Communities In Schools

8. Charlotte: A Tale of Two Cities 70% for all CMS students Highest graduation rates ~ 92% Mallard Creek High School ~ 92% Providence High School Lowest graduation rates ~ 58% West Mecklenburg High School ~ 52% Waddell High School ~ 51% West Charlotte High School Led to decision by Study Group to define initiative boundaries as West Charlotte High School Corridor

9. Charlotte: A Tale of Two Cities Corridor Comparisons Proficiency Rates School2010-11 West Charlotte Corridor Allenbrook Elementary59 Bruns Academy55 Druid Hills Academy55 Thomasboro Academy52 Statesville Road Elementary57 Walter G. Byers School38 Ranson Middle School62 West Charlotte High School68 South Charlotte Corridor Providence Springs Elementary School98 South Charlotte Middle School94 Providence High School96 The achievement gap that separates thousands of our minority and low ‐ income students from their peers in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is unacceptable.

10. Innovative Solutions to Educational Issues Private sector interested in equity & reducing achievement gaps –Significant investments over the years from private philanthropy –Geoffrey Canada discusses “zone” concept for Charlotte (early 2010) –Levine and Spangler families begin dialogue –Superintendent is approached by both families –Potential funding opportunities are tossed around Levine & Spangler families approach other donors Additional foundations express interest FFTC assists with process & funding evaluation

11. CMS Investment Study Group Peter Gorman & Ann Clark

12. Community Engagement Six Study Group meetings –Examined current CMS data and initiatives –Met with national consulting organizations & experts –Reviewed local & national models –Large amounts of outside reading material Community engagement activities –5 community meetings with over 650 attendees –Included parents, grandparents, business leaders, faith, youth, etc. –Free viewing of “Waiting for Superman” facilitated by Mayor Foxx All supported key early decision: Narrow focus to a defined zone

13. Two Part Charge Develop a replicable model for closing the achievement gap and increasing graduation rates in CMS Schools Secure sufficient philanthropic resources to implement the model

14. Common themes emerged for the initiative: At the broad level Be bold and “out of the box” But, geographically focused, replicable and sustainable Ensure impact and measurable outcomes Think holistically about the needs in the area Coordinate with others where possible Sense of urgency

15. Building Blocks Policy Reform Talent Time Technology Coordinated Community Partners & Motivated Parents/Mentor

16. Success requires leveraged collaborations The return on investment and collective impact leveraging philanthropic dollars and coordinating partners on a common agenda will be much greater than that of any isolated intervention or investment.

17. Project LIFT Launch: August 1 Executive Director Hired –In collaboration with stakeholders, devise a strategic plan. –Be innovative; resist the status quo –Use best practices from national turnaround efforts and research –Communicate and coordinate –Leverage Resources –Support Fundraising

18. Work Plan Development Initial Priorities -Rejuvenate interest and excitement -Introduction and acknowledgement of funders -Engage the L.I.F.T. Board one on one -Outreach to key stakeholders -Assess Needs and Get Input

19. Work Plan Development Develop Theory of Action –Examining underlying issues –Investigating similar initiatives: Success & failure –Determining return on investment Articulate strategies Prioritize strategies Years 2-5 Determine how to operationalize the strategy Strategic Plan to be completed in December Timeline: August-December 2011

20. Work Plan Development Engage/ endorse partners Selection based on proven results Begin implementation Ensure coordination/collaboration on common goals -Training -Communication -Establish collective measurable goals –Full launch: July 1 Timeline: January 2012-June 2012

21. Early Progress and Traction Policy Update Meeting with Governor Perdue –Proposals for policy reform –General endorsement –Working with CMS to determine next steps –Project L.I.F.T. schools may serve as proof point

22. Early Progress and Traction Initial Grant: Communities In Schools -$ 950,000 -Provides Initial Momentum and Intervention -Largest, proven dropout prevention program -Will serve 1900 students in the 8 LIFT Schools

23. Early Progress and Traction Initial Grant: Schools -Stimulate school level implementation -Seed funding to school PTSAs ($2500) Establish a PTSA Encourage shared decision making -Discretionary grant to principals ($5000)

24. Early Progress and Traction A July Visit to the White House -Recognized for focused philanthropic efforts -Endorsed by Colin Powell’s America’s Promise as a national exemplar for philanthropy

25. Project LIFT: Agenda Overview and Welcome Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone Overview of Project LIFT Defining the District/LIFT Partnership Survey Results & Strategic Planning Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher Processing/Planning/Input Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone Communities In Schools

26. Project LIFT: Agenda Overview and Welcome Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone Overview of Project LIFT Defining the District/LIFT Partnership Survey Results & Strategic Planning Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher Processing/Planning/Input Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone Communities In Schools

27. Project LIFT: Agenda Overview and Welcome Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone Overview of Project LIFT Defining the District/LIFT Partnership Survey Results & Strategic Planning Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher Processing/Planning/Input Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone Communities In Schools

29. Project LIFT: Agenda Overview and Welcome Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone Overview of Project LIFT Defining the District/LIFT Partnership Survey Results & Strategic Planning Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher Processing/Planning/Input Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone Communities In Schools

30. Project LIFT: Agenda Overview and Welcome Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone Overview of Project LIFT Defining the District/LIFT Partnership Survey Results & Strategic Planning Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher Processing/Planning/Input Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone Communities In Schools