"My Idea" Student Grant Opportunity

America’s Promise Alliance and AT&T have announced an exciting new project. The "My Idea" grant program will empower young people to examine the high school dropout crisis and take action to help more of their peers to graduate on time – improving outcomes for themselves and their community. National grants of $10,000-$20,000 will be awarded to 20 – 25 youth for the best of the submitted ideas to help increase a community’s graduation rate anywhere in the United States. Applications must be submitted by June 11, 2010. Click here for more information.

Volunteer:
City Schools has introduced an exciting new way to volunteer time or services to support Baltimore’s great kids. Visit the City Schools' Volunteers, Partners, and Donor information page where you can explore volunteer and partnership opportunities, sign up to volunteer or partner at a school, and make donations to help our schools excel.

Youth Perspective Video:
Why Students Don’t Go To School: video created by New Lens with support from the Open Society Institute for the Baltimore Student Attendance Work Group, part of City Schools’ Safe and Supportive Environments Committee. 

The Baltimore Student Attendance Work Group was established over a year ago to look at ways to improve attendance and establish a culture of regular school-going. In Fall 2009, the Group hosted a series of student focus groups around the city to discuss issues related to student attendance.  Additionally New Lens staff held a focus group with youth that are involved with their program to discuss issues related to student attendance. New Lens staff taped each of these focus group sessions and the footage was edited to produce this video.

Recent Local Coverage:
March 4, 2010: "Alonso hastens to correct Obama's graduation numbers," Baltimore Sun
March 1, 2010: "Obama steering grants to under performing schools," Baltimore Sun

Reference Material:
• Presentations and handouts from the March 3, 2010 Graduating Great Kids Summit can be found under Summit Material by clicking on the individual session topic.

• Links to additional Reference material regarding Maryland and Baltimore's dropout rates can also be found in the Keynote Presentation section.

• Presentations and handouts from the May 6, 2010 Parent Engagement Workgroup can be found in the Parent Workgroup Materials section.

• America's Promise Alliance Parent Engagement Video: Partnering with Schools and Communities for Educational Success.