Effective Public/Private Effective Public/Private PartnershipsPartnerships

to Boost Graduation Rates and Post-secondary Success

Wisconsin Graduation Summit – December 9, 2009

Goals for this presentation: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: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 Initial Impetus for Program CreationCreation

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 Focus on First-generation College-bound StudentsStudents

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 Engagement of Family MembersMembers 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 Active Involvement of School DistrictDistrict 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 Endowed Funds at Local FoundationFoundation Initial fund creation with dollar match

by Madison Community Foundation

Annual fundraising support

Donor relations

Publicity and student recognition

Corps of Community Advocates / Corps of Community Advocates / VolunteersVolunteers

Role of Mann family and friends

Mann Board of Directors functions

Sánchez Advisory Committee assistance

Incorporation of Scholar graduates as volunteers

Program Outcomes to Program Outcomes to PresentPresent 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 PracticesKey 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 ReplicationsCurrent 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 Related National and Statewide EffortsEfforts

Discussion of programs directed at support during the high school years

Feedback from session participants

Mann Tenth Anniversary Mann Tenth Anniversary VideoVideo

“Mann Scholars Program:

The First Ten Years”

For additional information: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