Education Program Development
Our objective is to build a supportive atmosphere of learning and development in collaboration with our students' teachers and parents. We believe in compassionate, culturally-sensitive teaching, founded on the notion that academic success begins with healthy social-emotional development.
We provide daily, individualized academic support through a low teacher-to-student ratio, by assessing students' academic needs, and by remaining cognizant of each student's home environment and at-home responsibilities. Through daily homework help, tutoring, and the influence of positive adult role models, we strive to equip our students with the tools necessary to succeed in all areas of life.
Community Learning Center Renovations
Renovating our community Learning Centers and Teen Center has been our biggest ongoing project. Over the past 6 months, we have: donated/discarded items we no longer needed, replaced dilapidated furniture, reorganized, and so much more. Our goal is to get our centers looking clean, spacious, and an inviting place for our youth!
Expansion of Volunteer Tutoring
A low teacher-to-student ratio is fundamental to providing individualized academic support for our students. Therefore, we have made it a priority to expand our network of tutor volunteers through new partnerships with local organizations. Over the past 4 months, we have successfully quadrupled our number of volunteer tutors through the following partnerships: Partners in Education, Santa Barbara High School, UC Santa Barbara, Westmont College, and more. While the average teacher-to-student ratio is 1:23 in California schools, our current ratio of 1:3 allows for the individualized support that our students need!
“The Community Learning Center has evolved and right now it is a better space to learn and work.”
Youth Programs
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social-emotional learning is the process through which individuals come to: manage their emotions, set and work towards goals, empathize with others, and establish positive relationships. Decades of research suggest that cultivating an environment that promotes the development of these 'soft skills' not only improves student well-being and classroom behavior, but drastically improves students' academic performance. In addition, SEL actually reduces poverty and improves economic mobility - an imperative, long-term outcome for the low-income families we serve.
At our Learning Centers, we have incorporated these values into our daily programming. Over the past few months, students have: learned and discussed the meaning of gratitude, set academic and personal goals to work towards in the new year, and staff have received ongoing training on how to mentor and guide our youth.
Learning with a GROWTH mindset
Hand-in-hand with SEL is the core learning concept of a growth mindset. Our students are taught that intelligence is not 'fixed', but rather, achievement comes from hard work and perseverance. As a result, challenges are seen as opportunities to learn and improve ourselves, rather than threats to an 'innate, fixed intelligence.'
Measurable Outcomes
Attendance:
Enrollment has increased ~25% at our centers since last academic year
The Village is at max capacity, with a current waiting list of students wanting to get into the program
Daily attendance is ~85% of our enrolled students (with excused absences taken into account)
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
A vast majority of our students come from Spanish-speaking homes, and as a result, are considered English Learners. Therefore, a top priority at our centers is to make sure our students are RECLASSIFIED as fluent English Proficient (RFEP). These reclassification assessments occur once a year.
Since last academic year, we have had 6 students reclassified as fluent English Proficient (RFEP)!
“The dedication and love that the staff has shown for my children brings me to tears. I have had many surgeries because of my cancer, and through those difficult times, the staff has been my support system, and my children’s emotional and educational support.”
“I would like to thank The Turner Foundation and all who help support them. There were moments that I believed giving up was the easiest answer, but God never gave up on me, and has put these special people in my path —I call them angels.”
“I have seen the growth of my children since the moment they began at the Learning Center. My children were shy, kept to themselves, and had very little social skills. Now they have made friends and a family at the Learning Center. I see how the staff have helped them grow their learning skills, communication skills, and problem solving. I am so proud of them —for learning about emotions and how to recognize and voice them.”
