Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Social Solutions Global

Second Presenter's Institution

Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS)

Third Presenter's Institution

Local Investment Commission (LINC)

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Relevance

Academic achievement and enrollment persistence are two key variables that are indicators of future academic success. The rash of mobility and the accompanying issues that are formulating because of the pandemic are requiring a new approach to solidifying the K12 education system and keeping the label of "At Risk" being applied. Using data and creative methodology can provide actionable data and insights that can affect policy at all levels.

Brief Program Description

Explore the theoretical framework of what could be possible with purposeful and actionable data sharing between Non Profits, Philanthropy, and School Districts can change the scenario in the board room and in the classroom. Enhance resource allocation, real time decision making, return on investment for outside partners and interventions, and summative and formative evaluations of effectiveness.

Summary

Our students are facing unprecedented obstacles in society that often result in young people being labeled “At Risk”. Instead of being overwhelmed with the breadth of the issues our youth are facing, we need to gain an interconnected perspective driven by actionable data. The data exists - the speedbump is accessing it in a meaningful, timely manner to drive change at a personal or systemic level.

This presentation will provide a blueprint for community collaboration by examining an effort by independent researchers, community organizations and the school district to quantify the frequency and impact of mobility and evictions and ultimately move toward data-driven solutions. The partnership examined the impact of mobility, and specifically evictions, on academic achievement and student persistence, spurring community conversations and ultimately leading to changes from City Hall to the halls of Kansas City Central High School. KCPS, LINC, the KC Eviction Project, and Legal Aid of Western Missouri mined Jackson County Court records and merged with school district data to create an eviction alert system and provide legal representation for those in need.

The strategy for examining and impacting student mobility rates is really the tip of the iceberg for the types of solutions that can be achieved with access to data, along with a dose of creative thinking and diverse skill sets. This approach to evictions could be replicated to encompass food security, utility assistance, or tutoring or mentoring interventions.

Learning Objectives

Participants will explore the power of integrated data systems and how they can be used to inform practice in a preventative model to address "At Risk" youth

Participants will explore replicable examples of data sharing and how they have assisted in addressed underlying causes of students falling into the "At Risk' label.

Biographical Sketch

Mike Reynolds is the Director of School District Relations for Social Solutions, a case and outcomes management software provider based in Austin, TX. Mike spent 15 years with the Kansas City Public School District, most recently serving as the Chief Research & Accountability Officer. In this role, he was instrumental in helping KCPS take the steps needed to achieve accreditation while improving outcomes for students by collaborating with community agencies and nonprofit organizations. In addition, he lead the district’s involvement with the Kansas City Eviction Project, a program that is increasing housing stability for KCPS students and families and for which KCPS won the Council of the Great City Schools’ 2019 Research and Assessment Leadership Award.

Jerome Williams Jr. is the Manager of Assessment and Research at Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS). Jerome has worked in data, assessment, and research at the community college level and in the K12 environment for over 17 years. Jerome also has experience coaching basketball at the AAU, NCAA and high school level, where he is currently the coach at Lincoln College Prep in Kansas City. Jerome is a member of the KC Eviction Project, has experience in micro lending, and has been a youth mentor for over a decade.

Brent is a deputy director of the Local Investment Commission (LINC), a community-based non-profit serving children and families in the Kansas City area. LINC has been implementing the community schools model for over 20 years in a wide-ranging community collaborative. It provides no-cost after-school programming to over 5,200 children. LINC has over 50 school-based coordinators and has partnerships with seven school districts. Brent has been with LINC for two decades and his skills include communications, community engagement, strategy planning and data systems. He previously served on the Steering Committee for the Coalition for Community Schools. His other community involvements include serving on a public library board and local and state historical organizations. Prior to joining LINC, Brent was a journalist working at newspapers in the U.S. and abroad. He holds degrees from Grinnell College and the London School of Economics.

Keyword Descriptors

data-driven, equity, preventative approach, mobility, community resources

Presentation Year

2021

Start Date

3-9-2021 10:05 AM

End Date

3-9-2021 11:05 AM

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Mar 9th, 10:05 AM Mar 9th, 11:05 AM

Using Data to Advocate for Preventative Interventions - From Practice to Policy

Explore the theoretical framework of what could be possible with purposeful and actionable data sharing between Non Profits, Philanthropy, and School Districts can change the scenario in the board room and in the classroom. Enhance resource allocation, real time decision making, return on investment for outside partners and interventions, and summative and formative evaluations of effectiveness.