Carlin Springs Community School Evaluation

for 2007-2008

A community school:

• Uses the public school as a hub to bring together community partners to address not only academic needs, but also social, emotional, and health needs of students and their families -- before, during and after school.

• An integrated focus on academics, services, and opportunities leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities.

Carlin Springs Demographics2007-2008

• 512 students grades pre-K-12• Approximately 30 countries represented• 78% free and reduced lunch• 63% Limited English Proficiency• 15% Asian, 16% Black (includes African),

64% Hispanic, 4% white• 100% great kids!

Goals and Objectives• Goal:

– Improve academic performance• Four objectives

– Increase opportunities for after-school activities that reinforce the curriculum

– Increase parents’ involvement so they can become more effective partners in their children’s education.

– Increase parents’ skills in English, literacy, and technology.

– Increase access to health, mental health and social services for families

2007-08 Partners

• 29 partner organizations– Greenbrier Learning Center– AHC, Inc. (Harvey Hall)– Arlington, Va. Federal Credit Union – Spellbinders– Kids Café– Arlington Soccer Association

• 5 grants • 45 community volunteers

Evaluation Data

Collected multiple types of data for all students K-5 and their parents

• Data to assess academic improvement– Standardized test scores (PALs and SOLs)– Teacher assessments of changes in performance in

four areas: class participation, behavior, homework and academics

• Data to assess family stability– Student tardiness and absenteeism

Evaluation Data (cont.)

• Data on program participation– Parent participation in school events and parent

workshops – Student participation in enrichments and/or

tutoring – “Regular attendees” are students with 30 or more

days of participation in enrichments and/or tutoring

– Home visits, lunch buddies, and referrals

After-school Academic Enrichments (Objective 1)

Activities:• 23 enrichments • 3 tutoring programs

Offered By:• 26 teachers (paid and volunteer)• 13 community members (paid and volunteer)• 8 community organizations (PRCR, E*Trade, Educational

Theater Co., 4-H, Arlington Soccer…)

The idea is to reinforce and complement what is learned during the school day.

After-school Activities (Objective 1) Outcomes

Participation inNumber of

studentsPercent of students

grades K-5

At least one enrichment 214 50%

At least one cycle of tutoring 128 30%

At least 30 days of activity (enrichments, tutoring or both)

130 30%

At least 16 days of activities 184 43%

Student Participation in Tutoring and Enrichment Activities

After-school participants more likely to improve performance

47

58

42

53

76 7873

91

0102030405060708090

100

Homework Participation Behavior Academics

Less than 30 Days ofParticipation30 or More Days ofParticipation

Effect of Participation on Standardized Tests: Participants as likely to pass

73

70

74

73

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

Reading Math

Less than 30 Days ofParticipation30 or More Days ofParticipation

After-school participants at-risk for failure more likely to pass standardized tests

Percent passing 07-08 SOLs

Less than 30 Days of Participation

30 or more days of

ParticipationReading 45 52

Math 31 36

After-school participants spend more time at school

5.44.7

3.4

4.3

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Average Days Absent Average Days Tardy

Less than 30 Days ofParticipation30 or More Days ofParticipation

Parent Involvement (Objective 2)

Outreach Activities: • Principal’s Coffee (new format)• home visits • bus stop visits • calendars, flyers, stickers • evening office hours for report card

explanations• Spring 07 parent survey

Parent Involvement (Objective 2), cont.

2007-08 Parent/Family Activities:• Back-to-School Night, Conferences• 2 Curriculum Nights• 5 Family Library Nights• Too Smart to Start and Middle School

Transition Meetings for 5th grade parents• Welcome Back Picnic, Fall Festival,

International Dinner, Concerts

Parent Involvement (Objective 2) Outcomes

• 35% of parents attended Back-to-School Night• 77% attended Fall P-T conferences• 80% attended Spring P-T conferences• 86 parents attended one or more coffees• 98 parents attended one or more workshops• 187 parents attended one or more family program

with educational content (e.g. Library Nights, curriculum nights)

• 44 parent volunteers, 30 on a regular basis

Parent Involvement Outcomes, cont.

• Tracked participation in eight types of parent/family events– Low involvement parents participated in 0 to 2 types– High involvement parents participated in 3 or more

Parent Involvement 2007-2008

No involvement 8%Low Involvement (0 to 2) 44%

High Involvement (3 or more) 56%

Students with high-involvement parents more likely to improve

41

52

39

51

71 7464

79

010

203040

506070

8090

Homework Participation Behavior Academics

Low InvolvementHigh Involvement

Spring 07 Parent Survey Outcomes149 parents surveyed 49 in English, 96 in Spanish

• 94% were satisfied or very satisfied with communication with school staff.

• 95% agreed or strongly agreed that school staff “help me learn how to help my child succeed in school.”

• 99% agreed or strongly agreed that the teacher “really cares about my child”.

• 89% agreed or strongly agreed that “my child needs more opportunities for educational activities after school.”

Increase Parents’ Skills (Objective 3)

Activities:• “Sharing the Dream” parent leadership grant• Project Family developmental playgroups• Financial Literacy Workshops• Linkages to REEP English classes• Workshops at coffees on how to support your

child’s learning at home, summer learning activities, etc.

Areas of most interest to parents for workshops/skills (‘07 survey)

Education/Job Skills:• English as a second language 62%• Using a Computer 64%• Reading skills 52%

Parenting:• Child growth and development 52%• Helping my child stay healthy 58%• Discipline 63%

Child’s Education:• Helping my child read 67%• Helping my child with homework and tests 62%• Helping my child with math 55%• Preparing for middle school and beyond 50%

Increase Parents’ Skills (Objective 3), cont. Outcomes:

• Somewhat improved parent leadership• 98 parent/caregivers attended at least one Project Family

playgroup at Carlin Springs (core group of about 30 pairs)– 91% of parents met parenting objectives– 59% of toddlers reached developmental milestones

• 26 parents attended REEP English classes• 23 parents participated in Financial Literacy workshops• 25 parents attended PEATCY workshop• 86 parents attended one or more coffee workshops

Family Access to Resources (Objective 4)

Areas of most interest to parents for services (‘07 survey):

•Dental Services 52%•Health Care and insurance 50%•Citizenship and immigration issues 43%•Family counseling/mental health 41%

Family Access to Resources (Objective 4)Activities and Outcomes

• Bilingual Parent Liaison made 231 referrals to community resources for families in 2007-08

• Referrals by school nurse in 2007-08: -35 students referred for dental care-52 children referred for medical care; 24

followed through.-8 referred for social services-175 students given vision screenings, with 60 referred for further evaluation

• Health Fair with 10 community partners: 72 families attended, 14 families trained and received car seats

Family Access to Resources (Objective 4), cont.

½ time DHS Bilingual Mental Health Therapist:• Saw 30 students on a regular basis (individual and in groups)

during school year and summer• Crisis support• Classroom presentations on re-unification, acculturation,

bullying• Parent coffee presentations on social/emotional issues• Consultations with teachers, parents, nurse• Summer reunification lunch group with 11 students• Referrals to social services• Referred 5 parents for ongoing mental health at 3033 (none

followed through)

Three-Year Trends: Parent Involvement

17

68

32

6

55

45

8

44

56

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

No involvement Low High

2005-062006-072007-08

Three-year Trends: Tardy and Absent

7.8

6.3

8.2

4.8 4.6

0123456789

Days absent Days tardy

2005-062006-072007-08

Three-year Trends: After-school Participation

46

33

19

43

30

23

05

101520253035404550

16 days of activity 30 days of activity At-risk students

2005-062006-072007-08

Challenges

• Constraints on after-school activities offered:– Bus space– Qualified tutors

• Family mobility• Parent availability, leadership• Sustainability

Conclusions• Students benefit from

– after-school activities– parent involvement– family supports

• Having a community school infrastructure attracts and sustains partnerships

• Several factors limit potential to realize maximum benefits