2000
MAYOR’S EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP GRANTS

PROJECT SUMMARIES 

This project is assisting middle and high school students in the Boca Club Apartment Complex with all aspects of students’ preparation for post-secondary education.  Components of the project are: weekly SAT/ACT preparation classes, visits to local colleges and universities, academic tutoring, computer and internet training, job shadowing and career path assessments and guidance.  Career alternatives to four-year colleges and universities are included in program.  Participants are becoming acquainted with the benefits of choosing a two-year program close to home or choosing a vocational program following high school.  According to faculty at Johns High School, which is the main feeder school for the participates of the program, many students have increased their reading and math testing scores by 15 to 25%.

The Richmond Heights Neighborhood Association had concerns with the number of children needing positive, constructive activities. To address those neighborhood concerns Carver Middle School’s project provided tutorial sessions in reading, writing and math.  Parent involvement classes educated parents on how to focus on essential skills for their child’s success.  Once a month Carver Middle School hosted a technology night in the computer lab at the Smith Center.  Approximately 150 students participated in the program and many of those students attained an increase interest in reading through technology.  There were several positive outcomes as a result of this project including five students who were once on the verge of suspension now they are five of the most improved academic students in the school.

This project has targeted fourth and fifth grade students needing additional academic assistance to improve their performance on Florida’s state testing instruments.  The after-school project tutored students in the areas of reading, writing and math.  In a small group environment with the help of neighborhood association volunteers, students read literature and used the internet as a research tool for their homework assignments.  Several students prepared journals of their tutorial experience and as many as 15 students were awarded most improved students for the academic year.

This provided students with an understanding and appreciation of the arts through expressions of the African/African American culture.  The students developed a sense of community as well as built self-esteem and confidence.  The neighborhood association members provided after-school transportation for the students, as well as tutored the students in reading, writing and math.  This grant assisted the Cultural Arts Research Ensemble establish partnerships with Metropolitan Orlando Urban League and Walt Disney World.  As a result of those partnership and donation the students performed at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center on June 4, 2000.  Students have a greater interest in history and their academic achievements have been enhanced.

This project is focused on students identified as needing reading and math remediation according to their performance on last year’s Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).  Students were assessed, tutored and evaluated with the help of neighborhood volunteers, computers and computer software designed to address specific skills.  School administration is crediting the after-school tutorial project with assisting Dover Shores Elementary score 35% better in reading and math than on last year’s FCAT.

This project has provided remediation of math skills for students in Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.  The Villages of Southport Homeowners Association has assisted school staff with the implementation of the project, which has emphasized a hands-on approach to solving real world math problems.  Math was identified as a critical curriculum area and this after-school project has addressed those tutorial needs by using computer software such as “Turbo Math” and Math Majors” to practice basic math computation skills.  All the students in the program have improved their math testing scores by at least one letter grade.

This project established a learning partnership between Eccleston Elementary students and students from Cypress Creek High School.  The high school students served as tutors and mentors to the elementary school students.  School staff members trained the high school students on how to model correct reading and writing strategies utilizing the Internet as a resource.  The elementary students read stories on the internet, answered questions on comprehension and e-mailed their answers to their tutors at Cypress Creek.  This project enhanced computer skills and reading comprehension.

This project increased students' reading, writing and technology skills. In addition the project increased students' critical thinking skills and helped them develop an appreciation for literature. Many students became storytellers, critics of literature, writers, publishers, and producers. 

This project has engaged students in environmental recreational and educational activities.  During the first phase of the project, students focused on team building, public speaking, information gathering and activities promoting the Isle of Catalina neighborhood and the surrounding lake community.  The students provided self-guided Lake Tours to neighbors and shared their water safety training techniques; recycling activities and canal clean up projects.  Catalina 4-H Club formed an additional partnership with the Rio Grande Charter School to bring those students into its after-school program.  The students, Catalina 4-H Club staff, parents and neighborhood association members are all excited about future environmental educational projects.  They took photos documenting their environmental efforts and produced an Isle of Catalina Community Pride Quilt

This was designed to provide math enrichment experiences and social interaction practice for approximately ninety students in second through fifth grades.  Callahan Neighborhood Association and the Soldiers to Scholars Program worked with students after school and each Saturday.  This project created an environment where students experienced math and social interaction practice within the classroom setting.  These experiences helped students develop skills for collaborating with others to complete a task as well as develop interpersonal skills as they worked with others.  School administration administered a post test to assess the accomplishments of the program and it was determined that every student had improved in at least one subject area.

This project has provided students with an intensive, rich and stimulating integration of reading, mathematics and technology.  School staff and the members of Rock Lake Homeowners Association provided after-school tutoring remediation for students performing below district and state expectations.  Students work one on one in small groups utilizing Playstation educational software.  As a result of this project 70% of the student participants have improved their math and reading scores by one or more letter grades.

This project built a positive working relationship with parents, students and the community by providing resources and strategies improving academic achievement and built self-esteem for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.  In addition, families were introduced to basic academic skills and activities geared for the classroom and home.  The project also improved student standardized test scores in reading, writing and mathematics.  The Washington Shores Neighborhood Association members assisted with after school tutoring and served as career mentors to the students.