Spann Elementary School (JPS) - Project #RiseUp
Partners: Comcast, Junior League of Jackson, Bellwether Church, Jackson Rotary Club, Northminster Baptist Church, Raising Cane’s #30 (Ridgeland)
Students impacted: 150 4th and 5th graders
Volunteers: 200+
Partnership duration: Comcast - 1 year: JLJ - 15+ years; Bellwether - 4 years; JRC - 3 years; Northminster - 35 years; Raising Cane’s - 9 years
Project #RiseUp focused on helping Spann become more technologically integrated in an effort to improve the school’s accountability level, which in 2016 had fallen to “F” for the first time in school history. Analysis of student data revealed that the shaky transition from paper-pencil testing to computerized state assessments was a major reason for the drop. Project #RiseUp brought Comcast and 100+ volunteers to Spann to serve for multiple work days along with employees, students, and parents to help boost school morale, achievement and computer literacy.
Activities:
• “Boot Camp” after-hours program focusing on ELA and Math
• MAP Group meetings to help struggling students
• Jr. League: $10,000 in grants for technology and literacy
• Bellwether Buddy: Tutoring program for 4th graders
• Northminster: Gift cards for 4th grade teachers
• Rotary Club: Volunteer reading sessions
• Raising Cane’s: Donations, volunteers, Boot Camp gift cards
Impacts:
• Rating improved from 2016 Level F to 2017 Level B
• Donations used to buy laptops, extended WiFi, Brain Pop and other educational learning programs
• 35.3% to 61.7% growth in Reading and Language Arts
• 36.2% to 70.8% growth in Math
• Bottom 25% of students attained Reading/Language Arts growth score of 72.1% and Math growth score of 72.3%