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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
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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 1997 • 100% 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 • kprice@madison.k12.wi.us / 608.663.4941 • Amy Wallace – Mann Scholars Coordinator • wallace@madison.k12.wi.us / 608.712.3437