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Schools, Families, Housing Community Grants Program. What Are We Finding?. Conversation and Initial Analysis Confirm: 8th-9th Grade Transition is Fundamental Similar to findings in other analyses National- Chicago, Philadelphia, New York Local- In District & Outside Partners.
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What Are We Finding? • Conversation and Initial Analysis Confirm: 8th-9th Grade Transition is Fundamental • Similar to findings in other analyses • National- Chicago, Philadelphia, New York • Local- In District & Outside Partners What the Data Tells Us
Our City and Schools City • Growing population and economy • Increasingly divided by race, class and language • Wealthy, growing, childless central city
Schools • Declining enrollment in PPS • Overcrowding in east side school districts
Our Families A divergent path for children and adults: Adults • More white, more affluent, less children (in central city) Children • Flat growth; more diverse, more poor Families • Families of color are growing
Youth leaving the system, PPS cohort study revealed: • Only 57% of kids graduated on time • Approx. 8,000 young Portlanders are disconnected from school and work • PPS loses 1,400 – 1,600 middle and high school kids every year out of the traditional system
Schools, Families, Housing City-Wide Initiative
Initiative Goals • Direct City of Portland resources in a coordinated and cost-effective manner to help balance/optimize school enrollment • Using the City’s significant capacity for public involvement, help develop vibrant, multi-functional neighborhood schools that meet the needs of students.
Initiative Strategies • Rent Assistance – SFH Stabilization Fund • Small Grants – SFH Community Grants • Homeownership – Portland Housing Center Revolving Loan Pool • Neighborhood Engagement and Planning • Safe Routes to School, Parks & Rec, OSD, PDC, BHCD • Building on the Rosa Parks model • Complete Communities in River District & Pearl • Coordination with school bond measure deliberation • Family Housing Design Competition • Marketing public schools and Portland’s neighborhoods to incoming residents
What Are We Finding? Schools, Families, Housing Community Grants Program • Conversation and Initial Analysis Confirm: 8th-9th Grade Transition is Fundamental • Similar to findings in other analyses • National- Chicago, Philadelphia, New York • Local- In District & Outside Partners
Schools, Families, HousingCommunity Grants Program Core Elements • Resources to support and strengthen connections between schools and community • Administered by Portland Schools Foundation • $850,000 • 12-18 months
Key Outcomes • Help balance student enrollment – Grow where we can; stabilize where we need to • Help increase school-neighborhood partnerships to strengthen vitality of both
Elements of Success • Significant impact • Leverage additional resources • Staying power
Timeline Design Phase (September 2007): • Scan of existing programs • Community and partner input • October: RFP release • January: First applications reviewed • Rolling deadline for proposals
How much money is it? With $850,000 in one time funding total….. • Small grants: $5,000 @ 170 grantees • Mid-range: $50,000 @ 17 grantees • Larger: $85,000 @ 10 grantees
Your input is valued! Given: • Data realities • Limited resources • Real appetite to make a difference What do YOU think are important priorities to fund?