Principals’ Retreat October 7, 2011. Goals For Today: Provide context and background for Project LIFT. Offer insight on the strategic plan development.

Principals’ RetreatOctober 7, 2011

Goals For Today:

• Provide context and background for Project LIFT.

• Offer insight on the strategic plan development.

• Present a cutting edge human capital strategy and assess interest.

• Garner your best/most innovative thinking and input to inform strategic plan development.

• Clarify the Communities In Schools Partnership.

Project LIFT: Agenda

• Overview and Welcome• Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone• Overview of Project LIFT• Defining the District/LIFT Partnership• Survey Results & Strategic Planning• Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher• Processing/Planning/Input• Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone• Communities In Schools

Welcome: Project LIFT’s Biggest Fans

Anna Spangler Nelson

Stick Williams

Project LIFT: Agenda

• Overview and Welcome• Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone• Overview of Project LIFT• Defining the District/LIFT Partnership• Survey Results & Strategic Planning• Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher• Processing/Planning/Input• Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone• Communities In Schools

Project LIFT: Changing the Odds

Project LIFT: Agenda

• Overview and Welcome• Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone• Overview of Project LIFT• Defining the District/LIFT Partnership• Survey Results & Strategic Planning• Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher• Processing/Planning/Input• Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone• Communities In Schools

Charlotte: A Tale of Two Cities

• 70% for all CMS students• Highest graduation rates

~ 92% Mallard Creek High School~ 92% Providence High School

• Lowest graduation rates~ 58% West Mecklenburg High School~ 52% Waddell High School~ 51% West Charlotte High School

Led to decision by Study Group to define initiative boundaries as West Charlotte High School Corridor

Charlotte: A Tale of Two Cities

Corridor ComparisonsProficiency Rates

School 2010-11

West Charlotte CorridorAllenbrook Elementary 59Bruns Academy 55Druid Hills Academy 55Thomasboro Academy 52Statesville Road Elementary 57Walter G. Byers School 38Ranson Middle School 62West Charlotte High School 68

South Charlotte CorridorProvidence Springs Elementary School

98

South Charlotte Middle School 94Providence High School 96

The achievement gap that separates thousands of our minority and low‐income students from their peers in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is unacceptable.

Innovative Solutions to Educational Issues

• Private sector interested in equity & reducing achievement gaps– Significant investments over the years from private

philanthropy– Geoffrey Canada discusses “zone” concept for

Charlotte (early 2010)– Levine and Spangler families begin dialogue– Superintendent is approached by both families– Potential funding opportunities are tossed around

• Levine & Spangler families approach other donors

• Additional foundations express interest• FFTC assists with process & funding evaluation

CMS Investment Study Group

Peter Gorman & Ann Clark

Community Engagement

• Six Study Group meetings– Examined current CMS data and

initiatives– Met with national consulting

organizations & experts– Reviewed local & national models– Large amounts of outside reading

material• Community engagement

activities– 5 community meetings with over

650 attendees– Included parents, grandparents,

business leaders, faith, youth, etc.– Free viewing of “Waiting for

Superman” facilitated by Mayor Foxx• All supported key early decision:

Narrow focus to a defined zone

Two Part Charge

• Develop a replicable model for closing the achievement gap and increasing graduation rates in CMS Schools

• Secure sufficient philanthropic resources to implement the model

Common themes emerged for the initiative: At the broad level

• Be bold and “out of the box”• But, geographically focused, replicable

and sustainable• Ensure impact and measurable outcomes• Think holistically about the needs in the

area• Coordinate with others where possible• Sense of urgency

Building Blocks

Policy Reform

Success requires leveraged collaborations

The return on investment and collective impact leveraging philanthropic dollars and coordinating partners on a common agenda will be much greater than that of any isolated intervention or investment.

Project LIFT Launch:

• August 1 Executive Director Hired– In collaboration with stakeholders, devise a

strategic plan.– Be innovative; resist the status quo– Use best practices from national turnaround

efforts and research– Communicate and coordinate– Leverage Resources– Support Fundraising

Work Plan Development

• Initial Priorities-Rejuvenate interest and excitement-Introduction and acknowledgement of funders-Engage the L.I.F.T. Board one on one-Outreach to key stakeholders-Assess Needs and Get Input

Work Plan Development

•Develop Theory of Action–Examining underlying issues–Investigating similar initiatives: Success & failure–Determining return on investment

•Articulate strategies•Prioritize strategies Years 2-5•Determine how to operationalize the strategy•Strategic Plan to be completed in December

Timeline: August-December 2011

Work Plan Development

•Engage/ endorse partners •Selection based on proven results•Begin implementation•Ensure coordination/collaboration on common goals

• -Training• -Communication• -Establish collective measurable goals

– Full launch: July 1

Timeline: January 2012-June 2012

Early Progress and Traction

• Policy Update• Meeting with Governor Perdue

– Proposals for policy reform– General endorsement– Working with CMS to determine next steps– Project L.I.F.T. schools may serve as proof point

Early Progress and Traction

• Initial Grant: Communities In Schools-$950,000

-Provides Initial Momentum and Intervention-Largest, proven dropout prevention program-Will serve 1900 students in the 8 LIFT Schools

Early Progress and Traction

• Initial Grant: Schools-Stimulate school level implementation-Seed funding to school PTSAs ($2500)• Establish a PTSA• Encourage shared decision making

-Discretionary grant to principals ($5000)

Early Progress and Traction

•A July Visit to the White House

-Recognized for focused philanthropic efforts-Endorsed by Colin Powell’s America’s Promise as a national exemplar for philanthropy

Project LIFT: Agenda

• Overview and Welcome• Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone• Overview of Project LIFT• Defining the District/LIFT Partnership• Survey Results & Strategic Planning• Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher• Processing/Planning/Input• Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone• Communities In Schools

Project LIFT: Agenda

• Overview and Welcome• Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone• Overview of Project LIFT• Defining the District/LIFT Partnership• Survey Results & Strategic Planning• Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher• Processing/Planning/Input• Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone• Communities In Schools

Project LIFT: Agenda

• Overview and Welcome• Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone• Overview of Project LIFT• Defining the District/LIFT Partnership• Survey Results & Strategic Planning• Reaching Every Student with an Excellent

Teacher• Processing/Planning/Input• Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone• Communities In Schools

Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher

Presentation to Project L.I.F.T.October 7, 2011

Project LIFT: Agenda

• Overview and Welcome• Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone• Overview of Project LIFT• Defining the District/LIFT Partnership• Survey Results & Strategic Planning• Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher• Processing/Planning/Input• Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone• Communities In Schools

Project LIFT: Agenda

• Overview and Welcome• Geoffery Canada: Setting the Tone• Overview of Project LIFT• Defining the District/LIFT Partnership• Survey Results & Strategic Planning• Reaching Every Student with an Excellent Teacher• Processing/Planning/Input• Changing the Odds in the LIFT Zone• Communities In Schools