For Immediate Release: February 16, 2010
Contact: Nick Vittum, Northeast Kingdom Learning Services, (802) 334-6532
Northeast Kingdom Learning Services – Learning Works Receives $50,000 “Catalyst for Change” Award
Newport, Vermont – Northeast Kingdom Learning Services and Learning Works, Vermont’s consortium of Adult Education and Literacy providers, have been selected as a recipient of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation’s Catalyst for Change awards, which recognize existing examples of personalized, student-centered learning experiences across New England. Twelve schools and education organizations have received a one-time grant of $50,000.
“We are very grateful for the support of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation,” said Tom Alderman, Director of Adult Education at the Vermont Department of Education. “This generous grant award will make it possible for us to provide a research-based analysis of Vermont ‘s High School Completion Program. This program has been very successful in helping young learners successfully complete their high school education, and in modeling innovative practices that will benefit all students. Now we have the opportunity to document this success story in a way that will make it accessible to others.”
“The selection process has helped us become more aware of efforts already taking place across the region to put students at the center of the educational experience,” said Mary Sylvia Harrison, Vice President of Programs for the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. “We’re pleased to recognize these schools and organizations, and we look forward to further exploring how to build on the momentum for innovation that these models create.”
All Catalyst for Change applicants were asked to clearly articulate how they define, implement and/or promote personalized, student-centered learning through their school models, policy change or advocacy efforts. Applicants were also asked to present a clear rationale for their particular approach and provide supporting evidence of the approach’s contributions to the improvement of educational outcomes for middle and high school students, especially the underserved. Applicants also had to show that their programs were a core facet of schooling and not a stand-alone program.
The High School Completion Program’s success has been well-documented over its first three years: statewide, 913 students enrolled in the program; 337 graduated, and another 337 continued to be actively working toward a diploma. Thus, 74% of the students enrolled either completed their diploma or continue to be engaged. These are particularly dramatic successes when seen from the perspective that 100% of these students entered the program as drop-outs. The Catalyst for Change award will fund a statewide study that will engage an external evaluator to examine the program with fresh eyes, question its assumptions, provide an impartial analysis of the program’s effectiveness, and make recommendations for how the program can be improved. The results of this study should further validate the program, provide for ongoing improvements, and facilitate adoption of the model in other states.
In all, twelve schools and organizations from across New England were selected to receive Catalyst for Change awards. The other eleven include: Boston Arts Academy (Boston, MA); Boston Day & Evening Academy (Boston, MA); The Domus Foundation (Stamford, CT); Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (Augusta, ME); Q.E.D. Foundation (Amherst, NH); Sheepscot Valley Regional School Union # 12 (Wiscasset, ME); Springfield Renaissance School ( Springfield , MA); Steps to Success (Brookline, MA); Vermont Rural Partnership (East Hardwick, VT); Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (Richmond, VT); and Young Voices (Providence, RI).
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Learning Works
Nick Vittum Tom Alderman
Co-director of Education & Literacy Programs Director of Adult Education
Northeast Kingdom Learning Services Vermont Department of Education
1 Main St , Newport , VT 05855 120 State St; Montpelier , VT 05620
(802) 334-6532 (802) 828-3134
