|
|
Education
Coalition
Decatur, IL – The Improvement Teams of the Decatur Area Education Coalition (DAEC) meet to begin moving toward action with the goals of our community. (Click Here for dates & time)
These are all part of the larger community aspiration that Decatur and Macon County will be recognized as one of the most educated communities in Illinois. The Improvement Teams are embracing the action part of this process. Although it is assumed that all concerned citizens will play an active part in reaching our goal, these teams take on a special role in seeing that progress toward our goals is being measured and achieved. Click here to see the chart of how these teams fit into the overall structure. The purpose of the February meetings was to describe or constitute the teams, to continue or begin moving toward action, and to prepare for the March team meetings when we will gather with Jay Connor, our consultant. Members were given an opportunity at the meetings to express what they thought should be some of the tasks of the group. Some key and repeated suggestions can be summed up in the following:
The list in reality was much longer, but perhaps this offers a sampling of what the teams are willing to do for the cause. Each team committed to at least one concrete task to be completed by the March meeting. Moving forward at a reasonable pace is vital to each member and to the momentum that has been building in the Coalition and in the community. Lucy Murphy was present at each meeting and from this perspective had this to say: "The focus and energy in the improvement teams has been superb. I hope more and more people get involved in this really productive way to do something great." Click here for a schedule of our March meetings. If you are interested in being a part of the DAEC process, please contact me at the email link below or by calling 217-429-3000.
Program Director for The Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County
Decatur, IL – January 2008 - On January 24, 2008 the Decatur Area Education Coalition (DAEC) gathered for their first formal “Roundtable” meeting to further the cause of improving academic achievement in our local community. The group of around 90 citizens came in order to receive updates on efforts toward progress, to hear of the school district’s commitment to this goal and to the work of the Coalition, and to further understand the Roundtable’s role as members of the community in this process that promises profound results that benefit our children and the community at large. Before we review the events of the meeting, here is a reminder of the goals set by the community to achieve the aspiration that Decatur and Macon County will be recognized as one of the most educated communities in Illinois. They outlined a series of visions that would make this aspiration a reality:
Key to understanding the concept of the DAEC, and in particular the work of the Roundtable, is the importance of community involvement in achieving these goals. The Roundtable is the point at which our efforts engage the community. Roundtable members are representatives from the community with a vested interest in the present and future of Decatur and Macon County. Click here to see chart. Here is a breakdown of the presentations at our gathering:
Kindergarten Readiness: (York Powers, Kindergarten Readiness Coordinator) · The goal is to increase readiness scores of children entering kindergarten, as measured by an increasing number of children entering kindergarten each year better able to succeed. Our mission is to increase community awareness of what kindergarten readiness is and its importance, and to synchronize a variety of community-based efforts to increase the ability of parents and childcare providers to prepare children for entering school. · In 2007 186 students were referred to the Early Childhood Education Consortium (ECEC) over the summer because they did not test ready for kindergarten. Of these, 155 were actually reached with an intervention method, resulting in 60 children reaching one kindergarten readiness benchmark, 22 reaching two, and 1 reaching all three. So, 83 children who four months prior were not ready for kindergarten were subsequently able to start with the skills they needed to succeed. · Projects for 2008 include implementing “Preparing for Success” curriculum in childcare facilities, adding a volunteer reading and parent involvement programs to Anna Waters Head Start, increasing kindergarten screening, and continue supporting those already succeeding. · The attitude the Improvement Team wants us to have: Not “At least we are doing something,” but “we are doing something effective.”
Decatur Public Schools: (Gloria Davis, Superintendent of Public Schools) · The philosophy and beliefs of our area public schools is that academic achievement is the major priority, raising the bar by maintaining high expectations and academic quality and closing the gap between students in academic performance. · The investment of the entire community is vital in this and the entire community is the beneficiary of such a strong public school system. · Reading and math targets increase dramatically each year with a goal of 100% meeting or exceeding expectations by the year 2014. · Decatur Public Schools are making great strides to educate all students for life-long success.
Six Best Practices: (Jay Connor, The Collaboratory for Community Support) · There are six basic practices to follow faithfully in order to achieve results in the community:
· The Roundtable should return to these six practices regularly in order to reach and measure success. They should be a reference point to see that everything we do is working together toward the result, toward success. On behalf of the community we would like to thank all who are committed to participating in this process and all those who were able to join us for the January meeting. The presentations by York Powers, Gloria Davis, and Jay Connor hopefully offered us a model of what types of things the Roundtable should be looking at and gave us an opportunity to celebrate the advancements of the Kindergarten Readiness process and the school system’s successes and goals. If you are interested in being a part of the DAEC process, please contact me at the email link below or by calling 217-429-3000.
Submitted by:
Joe Allen
Education Coalition and Leaders Challenge Fund Announced
Decatur, IL
- November 2007- A group of
educators and community leaders started meeting
Studies and assessment projects conducted by the Economic Development Corporation, the United Way, The Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County, the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, the Decatur Board of Education, and others now focus all attention on improving academic achievement.
This is a new project focused on achieving the highest educational goal for the betterment of our community – making Decatur and Macon County one of the most educated communities in Illinois.
Organizers have outlined this series of visions:
· Every child will be fully prepared for success when starting kindergarten. · Every student will master grade level work. · Every student will graduate from high school with skills and resources for obtaining a job or enrolling in college.
Take this survey and tell us what you think are the most important elements in making Decatur one of the most educated communities in Illinois? CLICK HERE
The organizational plan for the coalition is:
Every child is ready for kindergarten. Every child masters grade level work. Every student graduates from high school with necessary skills and resources for job or college.
The Coalition’s activities will be based on systems to connect and enrich what is already offered community-wide. The core funding to support these new developments will come from the Leaders Challenge Fund at The Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County.
The Board of Directors of The Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County organized a capital fund drive to support a comprehensive program of community improvement in Decatur that focuses for the next five years on three educational objectives.
Thirteen individual donors have provided a challenge and incentive for this campaign, which was chaired by Kevin Breheny. Together they have committed a total of $1,000,000.
The Archer Daniels Midland Company matched these individual gifts with a second $1,000,000 challenge, bringing the total amount available for matching donations from the public to $2,000,000.
According to ADM spokesperson Mirinda Rothrock, “ADM is pleased to support the Community Education Coalition, investing in the future of our children and our community. We welcome the opportunity to partner with community leaders, educators and industry to address a high priority concern for Decatur -- quality education. We believe that together we can achieve a better future.”
For every contribution made to the permanent Leaders Challenge Fund from people in the community, the Leaders Fund will make a matching contribution in the ratio of 1:2 up to a total of $2,000,000. A donor’s contribution becomes 150% the day it is made. For example, a $10,000 contribution immediately becomes $15,000.
To donate to the Leaders Fund contact The Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County, 125 N. Water St., Suite 200, Decatur, IL 62523, 217 429-3000.
To become a part of the Education Coalition contact The Community Foundation or the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce, 422-2200.
Visit ARCHIVES to view previous articles |
||||||
|
Contact:
Webmaster Deemer DreamWay |
_small.jpg)
.jpg)
