Developing Community Resources to Address Disproportionality Fond du Lac School District John von Tish, Director of Pupil Services Stan Kocos, CPO Fond du Lac Boys & Girls Club Laurice Freeman, Supervisor of Community Education Services

Fond du Lac Demographics 7545 students K Native American 263 Asian/Pacific Islander 262 African American 593 Hispanic 6401 White 1118 students with disabilities 1 High School grades Middle Schools grades Elementary Schools grades 4K-5

FdL SCHOOL DISTRICT Relationships, Student Achievement, Structures Establish a forum to plan and explore a shared vision of leadership Seek community partners who can assist in enhancement of student learning Establish a community education service model for adults and children

SOCIAL CAPITAL Embedded resources in social networks that enhance the outcomes of actions

SOCIAL CAPITAL ….is derived from the benefits of social relationships

SOCIAL CAPITAL Interpersonal trust Information shared by neighbors Putting in a “good word” for someone Parental advice Teacher expectations Community norms and rules of conduct

ELO – Extended Learning Opportunities Out of School – Time Summer School Targeted Programming

ELO & Educational Outcomes Increase achievement in math, reading and other subject areas; Help children develop greater confidence in their academic abilities; Increase school attendance rates; Improve the quantity & quality of completed homework; Improve rates of high school graduation, and; Improve student behavior

Afterschool Programs as an Oasis of Hope for Black Parents in Four Cities (Black Alliance for Educational Options, October 2007) Commitment to Learning Constructive Use of Time Support Social Competence Boundaries & Expectations Positive Identity

Family Support Services Early childhood education; Remedial education and academic enrichment activities; Programs that promote parental involvement and family literacy activities; Mentoring and other youth development programs, parenting education and parent leadership, community service and service learning opportunities; Parenting education and parent leadership; Community service and service learning opportunities

Family Support Services Programs that provide assistance to African American students who have been truant, suspended, or expelled; Job training and career counseling services; Nutrition services; Primary health and dental care; and Adult Education, including literacy instruction.

Lesson Learned It is important to note that though cultural competency is critical to the provision of effective programming, a primary issue remains not one of race but of economic disadvantage.

Resources Truth in Labeling: Disproportionality in Special Education An Essential Dimension of Effective Education Classroom to Community and Back State Profile of Efforts to Create Culturally Responsive Educational Systems

School to Community Partnerships Program Highlights Laurice Freeman Supervisor of Community Education Services Fond du Lac School District

Bus Pass Program Purpose: To provide students who are in need of transportation, due to financial constraints, with a bus pass each month Partnership with Fond du Lac Area Transit Funding provided by Fond du Lac Area Foundation grant money and school fundraisers Students and parents both have a small financial responsibility which is based on income Serves nearly 50 students (95% students of color) each month

Bus Pass Program (cont’d) Parent involvement through contract and bi- monthly phone calls by Transition Coordinator Participants required to attend Tutoring Lab 8 hours a month if not receiving a “C” average or better Participants are required to meet with Transition Coordinator each month to discuss academics, tutoring hours and social/emotional issues, if necessary

After-School Tutoring Lab Purpose: To provide extra academic assistance to all students at Fond du Lac High School Partnership with UW-Oshkosh Center for Community Partnerships to provide college students of color as tutors and mentors Lab available three times a week from 3:15pm-5:00pm FHS teachers supervised students each night FHS National Honor Society members provided peer tutoring Accommodations could be made to provide tutoring during study hall periods, if necessary

Soul Food Dinner Purpose: To invite African American parents and families into the high school as well as to educate the school community about African American culture Partnership with Aramark Food Service Staff Student involvement from start to finish An African American community group involved with food preparation Approximately 100 attendees from FHS and community, including area business leaders Approximately 20 parents and/or family members volunteered to help prepare food the day of the event

MPTC Diversity Preview Day Purpose: To provide students of color with an opportunity to learn about post-secondary education without the threat they feel from their white classmates Partnership with Diversity Relations Office at Moraine Park Technical College Approximately 50 Participants Students were able to connect with college students of color with similar economic disadvantages, family structure and cultural barriers Follow-up program in Fall 2008

Outcomes Increase in daily attendance; Increase in academic scores; Students are more engaged in school; Parents are more engaged with school administration; Decrease in the number of suspensions; More opportunities to discuss cultural connections between students and staff

Questions? John von Tish Director of Pupil Services Fond du Lac School District (920) Stan Kocos Chief Professional Officer Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac (920) Laurice Freeman Supervisor of Community Education Services Fond du Lac School District (920)