1. October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2015

2.  Lincoln Public Schools received a 5-year, $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education-High School Graduation Initiative  29 school districts received grant awards in 2010 through a competitive process  Districts range from the Los Angeles Unified District with 687,534 students to Bloom Township with 3,480 students

3.  To increase the on-time graduation rates by 10% (2% increase annually) to 84.29% at Lincoln High School, Northeast High School, and North Star High School for the class of 2015.  Nationally, the goal is 90% by the year 2020, which means that 90% of the 3.7 million students currently (2010-2011 school year) in 3 rd grade will graduate on time (America’s Promise – Grad Nation)

4.  Increasing the graduation rate is a community challenge not just a school problem.  We must change how we do business as schools and communities to change outcomes for students.  We want kids to graduate college/career ready – need to create college-going culture in our schools and community.

5.  Freshman year of high school is critical to staying on track to graduation  Kids need positive relationships and connections with adults and peers  Schools must triage limited resources  Schools must create college-going culture Keith Frome, Co-Founder College Summit (March 2011 – HSGI Graduation Grantee Workshop)

6. Class of 2010 Lincoln High – 65.6% Northeast – 72.2% North Star – 78.1% District - 80.1% Class of 2011 Lincoln High – 73.2% Northeast – 76.1% North Star – 77.0% District – 82.4%

7. Grad Data 2010  All Students = 72.3%  White = 76.6%  Native Am. = 35.0%  African Am. = 68.1%  Asian Am. = 83.6%  Hispanic = 44.7% Grad Data 2011  All Students = 75.3%  White = 77.7%  Native Am. = 57.1%  African Am. = 67.4%  Asian Am. = 87.7%  Hispanic = 61.5%

8.  Minority Students: ◦ Lincoln High – 49% ◦ Northeast – 27% ◦ North Star – 39%  Special Education: ◦ Lincoln High – 17% ◦ Northeast – 18% ◦ North Star – 14%  English Lang. Learners: ◦ Lincoln High – 9% ◦ Northeast – 4% ◦ North Star – 7%  Free/Reduced Lunch: ◦ Lincoln High – 61% ◦ Northeast – 50% ◦ North Star – 51%

9.  Pregnant or Parenting Students  Students in the juvenile justice system  Homeless Youth: ◦ “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence”

10.  Students who are behind in credit acquisition  Students who are struggling in 1 st Year Algebra and Geometry

11. Outputs & Outcomes  Algebra 1 Pass Rate increased from 74.0% in 2009-10 to 78.7% for 2010-11  371 students received Math Intervention from January 10, 2011 to December 22, 2011.  1,676 hours of Math Coaching from January 10, 2011 to September 30, 2011

12. 329 students received one or more contacts with a School Social Worker Special Initiatives  Lincoln High: School Social Worker played a critical role in establishing the LHS Food Market which provides free food to students and their families on 2 nd & 4 th Wednesdays – 164, 214, 150, 172 participants

13.  Northeast: School Social Worker is helping to expand mental health services for students and families through coordination with local community-based agencies.  North Star: School Social Worker helped create the Hispanic Empowerment Team to improve the academic achievement of Hispanic students that make up 15% of all students.

14. The HUB:  The HUB provides a full-time Youth Specialist at Lincoln High who provides intervention and support for students at high-risk of dropping out.  During the first year the HUB served 88 students.  We are exploring ways to strengthen dropout re- engagement in collaboration with the HUB.

15. Child Guidance Center  Child Guidance Center provides a full-time therapist at North Star High School.  The therapist addresses the mental health needs of students and families.  Child Guidance provided on-going therapy to 29 students during the first year.

16. TeamMates  TeamMates has matched 60 freshman students with positive adult mentors.  Research shows that mentoring improves grades, attendance, and reduces discipline referrals.  Mentors are helping increase student engagement at school by building positive relationships.

17. LCAD  The LCAD staff person provides staff development on the 40 Developmental Assets.  Supports N-ACTS (Northeast Area Council for Teen Safety) to provide positive, drug free activities for Northeast students.

18. Building Bridges – UNL  Provides one-on-one counseling and academic skill building groups for 20 Northeast students.  Services are provided by UNL graduate students with oversight by a UNL faculty member.

19.  Goal is to make sure every student at LHS, LNE, and LNS is connected to at least one positive adult.  Increase intentional relationship building between staff and students  This work is linked to and aligned with the work we are doing to increase Cultural Proficiency of all LPS staff.

20.  The goal is to make instructional changes that help close the achievement gap  LHS, LNE, and LNS are piloting the implementation of the District Cultural Proficiency Plan  Each school has created a Cultural Proficiency Task Force to provide building level leadership on this strategy

21.  Transforming the 9 th grade experience – Teaming, Common Plan Time, and Advisories  Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBiS)  Early Warning System – Attendance, Behavior, Course Performance (ABC)  Advocates for Targeted Students – Relationship & Hope Builders

23. T.J. McDowell LPS Graduation Initiative Coordinator (402) 436-1867 tmcdowe@lps.org