Mastery Schools’ Post

What began as a virtual book club for Black men in St. Louis at the start of the pandemic has since evolved into a vital organization dedicated to addressing the youth literacy crisis in the city. Black Men Read was founded by Keyon Watkins in 2020, with a group of about 15 friends meeting virtually to discuss books. However, after a family tragedy in 2022, Watkins was inspired to do more. The death of his brother, whose life was profoundly affected by his inability to read, motivated Watkins to expand Black Men Read. “My older brother was very intelligent,” Watkins shared. “However, he couldn’t read. When you can’t read, your options in life are limited. What could the trajectory of his life have been if he knew how to read?” As of 2021, only 11% of Black K-12 public school students in St. Louis were proficient in reading, compared to 55% of their white peers. St. Louis has struggled for years to improve reading proficiency among its students, but Black Men Read is working to change that. In 2022, the organization began volunteering with Head Start programs to read to preschoolers and later expanded to Barack Obama Elementary School for the second half of the 2023-24 school year. Black Men Read’s literacy efforts are supported by Coalition With STL Kids, an organization committed to “highlighting the racist educational status quo” and holding the local school board accountable for what it views as low expectations for Black students. The work done by Black Men Read and Coalition With STL Kids is crucial to closing the literacy gap among marginalized groups, and their dedication is deeply appreciated. Black Men Read: https://hubs.li/Q02KYrGS0 Source: The 74 Million https://lnkd.in/enYU8rMM #StLouis #ScienceofReading #Education #Missouri #TheLiteracyLab

In my role as an administrator, I worked on one of the most rewarding projects. I spearheaded the implementation of a summer reading program in an urban school district. The project began with research and outreach with the local community to understand their needs and concerns regarding literacy. We reviewed the data, visited sites in other cities, and collaborated with local leaders to gather input and build support for the initiative. After gaining community buy-in, we worked closely with the faith community and other partners to design a comprehensive summer literacy program tailored to the area's unique characteristics. This involved collaboration with the Children’s Defense Fund, establishing partnerships, and developing educational materials to raise awareness about the importance of literacy. Through strategic partnerships with local businesses and organizations, we were able to secure funding and resources to support the program's implementation. Over time, the program gained momentum, with increasing participation from students and families. We saw tangible improvements in attendance, discipline, and literacy skills. The success of the Childrens Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® program not only had a positive impact on the community but also fostered a sense of pride and empowerment among community members who played a role in its implementation. It served as a model for community engagement, inspiring similar initiatives in neighboring areas. Overall, the project was a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and grassroots mobilization in creating positive change at the local level. It reinforced my belief in the importance of proactive and inclusive approaches to addressing literacy. I know we left a legacy because the faith community continues to implement the CDF Freedom Schools® program today. What is your legacy? What project did you manage that made a positive impact in the community? #LiteracyMatters #CDFFreedomSchools #Education

Since 2006, Community Partnership School has refined an early childhood/elementary program that empowers children with the tools to make good on their dreams. In the summer of 2023, we embarked on a process to clarify our strategy for ensuring mission fidelity and impact well into the future. Having completed this Strategic Plan, we are excited to share this summary that frames how we will allocate and augment our resources to realize our strategic goals moving forward. Many thanks to our Board of Trustees, Faculty and Staff, Parents and Guardians, and various partners and friends for their significant contributions to this work. This document summarizes our collective vision, and we're excited to realize the vision with you over the next few years and beyond. Below in the comments you will find a link to our website and plan report. #Growth #CPSPhilly #strategicplanning #strategicthinking #communityimpact #planningforthefuture #sustainability

I trust if I keep posting the facts, eventually enough of the right people will understand why REED Charitable Foundation exists, how the literacy crisis is enormous and growing and how it truly impacts us all. I also trust that those same people will also see the tremendous, collective opportunity we have to positively change literacy outcomes for ALL - children and adults. It starts with training and supporting the educators, tutors and educational professionals that are entrusted to ensure everyone can read. That is a fundamental part of our programming REED Charitable Foundation. And we make it accessible. What could be better or more life-changing?!?! Join us! (Excerpts from the attached article) “Two-thirds of American 4th graders who can’t read at grade level […] will soon be adults who can’t read.  The 95% of 8th-graders in Detroit who can’t read proficiently? Same.  And then what? Forty-eight million adult Americans read below the third grade level. Forbes Magazine reported in 2020 that the plague of low literacy skills could be costing the US $2.2 trillion annually in health care, social services, and lost wages. Worse, low literacy is handed down to children; the biggest indicator of a child’s literacy fate lies in the mother’s reading level If the numbers of children currently reading below grade level are correct, we are heading into an even worse adult literacy crisis than we have now. The rallying cry for effective instruction methods for children is loud and clear. But it is time to sound the bell for the refugees of the broken reading education system as well: all those children who didn’t learn and are now adults, still not reading.”

Marty Dickinson is offering this candid conversation with our community around bonds and levies. I love this part of her challenge to our community: "I am a fierce advocate for public K-12 education. Having had three children attend public schools in our region, and after leading two successful levy and bond campaigns, I know that schools are critical for developing healthy kids, preparing them to reach their highest potential. As a business leader, I know that no community can thrive without supporting its schools." "I feel so strongly, that I’m leaning into this hard conversation with those of you who question the benefit of voting for bonds and levies in our region. If by voting “no” you require schools to lay off staff, close buildings, shutter sports programs and eliminate activities, how does that benefit our collective future? If you create barriers for students to access technology and learn in well-equipped spaces, what is the impact on those who will eventually take their place in board rooms, surgical centers, classrooms, newspapers, construction sites and creative spaces?" #educationgrowseconomies #education #schoolfunding #schools #spokane #greaterspokaneinc

I can't recommend this article strongly enough. "A Democratic Vision for Public Schools" by Kent McGuire and Matt Wilka. The authors help us to understand how our political-economic paradigms throughout the history of the United States have shaped our public education system. What I found most wonderful is their hopeful vision for what's possible. To quote the authors, "Public schools that foster an appreciation for history and the skills and dispositions for citizenship must be part of the long-term solution to the democratic challenges that we face today." Get ready for a great and inspiring read! #EducationReform #Philanthropy #PublicEducation #EducationalEquity #TransformativeChange

I really appreciate this framework and the role it plays in our work at Barr - AND I keep thinking about how helpful it would have been in my previous roles. When you work in advocacy, you have to choose what you will focus on at any given moment. By laying out a comprehensive framework, the Indicators of School Quality can help advocates pinpoint how the issues they are tackling connect with others, and what else needs to move to drive impact for young people.

"When my daughter was ready for school, I was determined to find a nurturing experience for her. I searched for a school where she would be affirmed and loved for all of who she is. But that school didn’t exist. I toured many different programs and was mortified by what I saw in early childhood education. The entire system is rooted in misogyny and exploitation. The workforce, 97% women, made an average of $14/hour in extremely challenging teaching roles. The conditions made it near impossible to embrace equity. ❓️What would an early childhood program rooted in embracing equity look like? ❓️How would it be built? ❓️How would it function? ❓️What infrastructure is required to integrate a DEI strategy from the inside out? My good friend Esther, an Indigenous Montessori teacher from Zuni, and I started dreaming our wildest hopes into a plan. The plan started to take shape and we decided to start a tiny, one room classroom in rural Texas. Esther and I both relocated to the area, pulled all-nighters doing renovations, writing lesson plans, and building out the pilot program. But at the end of the day, we learned that it takes more than two dedicated teachers. A school must be the heartbeat of a community. Without systemic support, an individual school cannot thrive. Through blood, sweat, and a lot of tears, we deteriorated our mental and physical health. We were both diagnosed with severe depression and for 3 months I thought I had cancer. Although the school was only open for 8 months, it was a life-changing and extremely valuable learning experience (I’ll share more soon). I’m not fully recovered yet but I am proud that we preserved our friendship and, in the end, we chose our wholeness and well being. That choice represents so much healing. It represents no longer being governed by self-sacrificing reactions. It means that as educators and as women of color we get to be affirmed in our full humanity, too." Read the full article by our founder, Daisy Han, here: https://lnkd.in/gMj3YFn3

It's #NationalCharterSchoolsWeek, and even in 2024, there are still individuals unaware of what a charter school truly is! Shockingly, just yesterday, a state official referred to a charter school as a "private school" at an event. If you're a charter supporter, leader, advocate, or board member, let's spread the facts and clear up misconceptions! -Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate independently of traditional public school districts. -Charter schools have more autonomy than traditional public schools in terms of curriculum, hiring practices, and budget management. This flexibility allows them to innovate and tailor their programs to meet the needs of their students. -While charter schools have more freedom than traditional public schools, they are still held accountable for their academic performance and financial management. They must adhere to state academic standards and undergo regular evaluations to ensure accountability. -Charter schools serve a diverse student population, including students from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Many charter schools focus on serving specific communities or addressing specific educational needs, such as language immersion programs or STEM education. -Charter schools receive public funding on a per-pupil basis, similar to traditional public schools. - Charter schools are open to all students and are not allowed to discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or other factors. In cases where demand exceeds available space, charter schools may use a lottery system to determine admissions. #wearecharter #charterstrong #spreadtruth #spreadfacts #charteradvocates #chartersupporters

As someone who grew up deeply involved in the Philly Jewish community - from summers at a URJ camp in the Poconos and NFTY youth group retreats to studying at Gratz and attending services in Lafayette Hill - this partnership feels like coming full circle. Today, I'm thrilled to announce a milestone that bridges my personal journey with Ruvna's mission to create safer, smarter schools. We've partnered with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, an organization that's been a cornerstone of the community that shaped me. This collaboration isn't just business; it's personal. We're implementing Ruvna's platform across 22 schools, serving 5,000 students and 1,000 faculty members - many in the very institutions that fostered my own growth and development. It's our largest deployment to date, and a testament to how far we've come in our mission to revolutionize school operations and safety. I still remember the sense of security and belonging I felt in these community spaces as a child. Now, with Ruvna, we're enhancing that security for a new generation. Our system recently facilitated the evacuation and accounting of 300 students in just three minutes - a capability I wish we had during my school days. Michael Balaban, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, put it perfectly: "Ensuring the safety of our community's children and educators isn't just a priority; it's a moral imperative." These words resonate deeply with me, both as a community member and as Ruvna's CEO. This partnership goes beyond making schools safer; it's about creating smarter, more efficient learning environments. We're addressing the complex challenges schools face today, from critical safety concerns to administrative inefficiencies, allowing educators and students to focus on what truly matters - learning and growth. I invite you to read the full press release for more insights into this transformative initiative: https://lnkd.in/e4_xtJs3 To educational leaders and community organizations: If you're ready to elevate both your security measures and operational efficiency, let's connect (schedule a demo by clicking here https://lnkd.in/eGjhZz9d). Together, we can create an environment where the next generation can thrive, just as I did in this vibrant community. #SaferSmarterSchools #Ruvna #PhillyJewishCommunity