|
Communications Office
420 E. Manhattan Blvd.
Toledo, OH 43608
Phone: 419-671-8263
Fax: 419-671-8272
NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patty Mazur, Director of Communications
November 5, 2007
NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patty Mazur, Director of Communications
TPS WORKS TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS
Toledo Public Schools has received a $1.1 million grant from the State of Ohio that is earmarked to develop and implement a plan focused on closing the achievement gap of ninth grade at-risk male students. The funding for the program covers a two-year timeframe.
Currently, at-risk male students who are freshmen at Libbey, Scott and Woodward high schools have been identified as benefiting from a Closing the Achievement Gap program. The goals of the program include:
-
Prevent students from dropping out/or failing in school through at least weekly contact and the earliest possible intervention at the first signs of academic or behavior disengagement by any student in the program
-
Increase graduation rates with a focus on the needs of African American, Hispanic and poor white students – the ultimate goal of the district’s program
-
Promote and reward responsible behavior.
Students who participate in the program will be assigned an upper-class mentor who will work to motivate and support them in school activities. Participants will also have access to a tutor in an effort to address academic needs, interact with an adult role model, attend a series of field trips that will enable students to learn more about career options and learn how to become self-motivated toward success in school and in their personal lives.
As part of the Closing Achievement Gap Program, TPS is looking to engage 15 local individuals, groups and organizations (five per school) who are willing to organize and sustain beneficial after-school activities, services or presentations of interest to students in the program. Providers who are interested in working with TPS on this worthwhile project must have the ability to accommodate/assist with the following:
Provide after-school enrichment programming that students find engaging and worthwhile
-
Assist with recruitment and training of student mentors
-
Assist with developing school, community and parent involvement.
-
Potential community partners/program providers can obtain a complete outline of requirements by calling the
Communications Office at 419-671-8263 or by visiting tps.org – the request for proposals can be accessed under District Programs, Closing the Achievement Gap. Deadline for applications is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27th.
|
