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SmartKids is a proven solution

In late May, members of the Diversity Council staff met with representatives from OAP (Organizing Apprenticeship Project), a Minneapolis-based nonprofit, to talk about our organizations’ work and to discuss ways that we can work together to advance racial, cultural, social and economic equity in Minnesota. At that time, the OAP was putting the finishing touches on a Racial Equity Policy Brief looking at disparities in student academic achievement and offering 16 solutions to deliver equity and excellence in education outcomes for the state.

INTRODUCTION

OAP Image

Dear friend of the Diversity Council,

The OAP was impressed with the local SmartKids parent outreach and education program, presented in partnership between the Diversity Council and Rochester Public Schools, modeled on the “Get Smart” mindset training developed by the Efficacy Institute. Diversity Council staff quickly worked with the OAP to provide them with additional information about the SmartKids program, and it ended up being highlighted as one of 16 proposed solutions for reducing the academic achievement and equity gaps in Minnesota schools. Since you and/or your organization are a stakeholder of this program in some way, I am proud to share the recently-released Education Equity Policy Brief with you.

Here is the link to the OAP's Education Equity Policy Brief: http://www.oaproject.org/news/2011/06/13

Selections from the full report relevant to the SmartKids program are also included below.

16 SOLUTIONS

PUBLIC LEADERSHIP FROM THE TOP. CORE EDUCATION LEADERSHIP MUST COMMIT TO EQUITY AS A KEY EDUCATION STRATEGY.

THIS COMMITMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE TOP AND FILTER DOWN

THROUGHOUT EVERY LEVEL OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

School board and civic leaders partnering to implement new strategies for high student achievement.

In September 2008, Rochester Public Schools (RPS) teamed up with the Rochester Diversity Council to implement a SmartKids program as a strategy to target the achievement gap. This school board initiative is a key element of RPS’ strategic plan. The SmartKids program is a parent engagement program modeled after the Efficacy Institute’s parent trainings. These trainings are a district-wide effort focused on “promoting the academic and social development of children by helping educators, parents and human service providers operate from a simple belief: All children can learn at high levels if the process of education is effectively organized.” The SmartKids training empowers parents to feel like an important part of their children’s academic development, helping parents to be more connected and willing to participate in various school-related activities.”

SmartKids also collaborates with the English as a Second Language program of RPS to promote trainings for the non-English speaking population. This has led to an increase in parent understanding and participation from the Cambodian, Somali and Latino communities.

By June 2011, Rochester’s SmartKids program will have trained 2,057 parents who reflect the demographic student make-up of the RSD. In addition, between 2009 and 2011, Rochester schools have seen an overall increase in proficiency in math of 4.6 percentage points and 3.3 percentage points in reading.

In this time period, Black students increased proficiency by 10 percentage points in math and 9 percentage points in reading. Latino students saw an increase of 5 and 13 percentage points in reading and math, respectively. Key leaders must make a commitment to systematically changing the methods used to educate students. The belief that all students can achieve at high levels must be a dominating principle in school district reforms.