SALT LAKE CITY – After-school programs are boosting academic performance for Utah students living below the federal poverty level, according to a new study by the Utah Education Policy Center.
After participating in music, sporting or other organized activities for one to three years, kids made significant gains in language arts, math and science scores.
Tracy Gruber, senior advisor at the Intergenerational Poverty Initiative of the state's Department of Workforce Services, says academic success is critical for increasing opportunities for students once they leave school and enter the workforce.
"Kids who are participating in these programs can have opportunities to learn how to play violin or participate in a sporting activity,” says Gruber, “and they're also being supported in their academic achievement for school."
In 2014, the Utah Legislature passed a measure designed to break the cycle of poverty by setting aside funds for students to take part in after-school programs.
The University of Utah study looked at 29 programs that have served some 10,000 kids from 2014 through the 2016 school year. Researchers found that students' test scores improved after just one year in the program. After three years, test-score improvements nearly tripled.
Gruber points out that extracurricular activities provide safe and healthy settings after school lets out, and result in less time spent at home alone.
"After-school programs have really been shown to increase engagement in the school day,” says Gruber, “increase attendance, and also reduce risky behaviors at the end of the school day."
The study found that nearly 60,000 children in Utah experienced intergenerational poverty in 2016, and nearly one in three kids is at risk of continuing to live in poverty as adults.
On Thursday, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox paid a visit to the Guadalupe School and met families taking part in the Intergenerational Poverty Afterschool Program.
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An ethics committee in the Republican-led Iowa House has dismissed a complaint filed by a group of community activists against a state lawmaker for his support of the state's Education Savings Accounts.
The accounts allow parents to use public money for their child's private education. Rep. Dean Fisher, R-Montour, has plans to open a private school in his district and voted in favor of legislation to create the program.
Tim Glaza, special projects director for the group Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, believes Fisher's vote was clearly a conflict of interest.
"They want to have about 120 students in the school," Glaza pointed out. "If you do the math, that's over $900,000 of public money that will be going to his personal school every year."
While he did not address his plans for a private school in his response, Fisher argued the ethics complaint was politically motivated and said he was fulfilling a campaign promise by voting to create the program.
Supporters of Education Savings Accounts said they know better how to educate their children than public schools and should be able to use their tax dollars to pay for private school. Recent polls show 62% of Iowans oppose such programs, for siphoning money from the public school system.
Glaza called on lawmakers to require Fisher to abstain from voting on future voucher bills.
"They want to expand the voucher program," Glaza outlined. "They could increase the amount. They can expand it to home-school. They can expand what the vouchers can be used for."
Glaza argued any such changes would mean an even bigger hit on public schools. Thirteen states have some form of education savings account or private school vouchers and others are considering them.
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This year's high school graduates will be eligible for 14,000 new scholarships offered through Opportunity Next Colorado, a $21 million investment approved by state lawmakers.
Angie Paccione, Colorado Department of Higher Education executive director, said the goal is to set graduates up for success, and fill high-demand jobs that fuel the state's economy. She said 75% of all jobs in Colorado, and 94% of top jobs that pay enough to sustain a family, require some form of education beyond high school.
"Right now just under 50% of our high school graduates are pursuing post-secondary education," she said. "We want to see that number bump up so that our students have the credentials they need to get the job they want."
Members of the Class of 2024 can get a $1,500 scholarship, which Paccione added should cover the entire tuition costs for certificate programs that can be completed in as little as six months. Graduates can explore scholarships and advising available at OpportunityNext.org, a new platform that spotlights Colorado's fast-growing industries and related education and training programs.
The initiative hopes to reach students from school districts with below-average college or trade school enrollment rates, and districts with low rates of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Paccione explained many students never see the financial opportunities that are available for pursuing a degree or credential.
"We're doing a lot of things right now that are targeted at those who are either on the margins of society, or they live in population areas where college has not always been seen as a pathway to success," she continued.
This year's high school graduates can choose from a range of programs that can prepare them for careers as engineers, health professionals, computer and IT specialists, as well as construction, family and social sciences, education, advanced manufacturing and more.
"There's eight different pathways that are high-demand positions. And this would allow people to get the training and education that they need, and get into the workforce, and strengthen the economy. So, we're very excited to offer these scholarships," Paccione said.
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The Amesbury School Committee will hear from educators and parents tonight as they rally to prevent more than $2 million in proposed cuts to their schools.
They are asking Kassandra Gove, the mayor and school committee chair, to use any funds at the city's disposal to ensure schools can at least maintain their current level of services.
Cynthia Yetman, president of the American Federation of Teachers Amesbury Local 1033, said schools have worked to support students' mental health but pandemic-related funds have dried up.
"Those types of needs are still there in our district," Yetman pointed out. "We still want to be able to offer those kinds of support."
Yetman noted school operation costs are up and educators, especially paraprofessionals, deserve a living wage. She stressed the town has enough money in reserves to ensure students have what they need. But Gove countered every city department is facing financial hardship.
Gove has proposed a 3% increase in spending, but Elizabeth McAndrews, superintendent of the school district, said it will take at least 8% to continue busing services, ensure ample technology and keep needed support staff.
Kevin Tierney, a teachers' union negotiator and parent of two young boys in the district, worries cuts to music and the arts, library services and after-school programs could cause some families to move elsewhere.
"I firmly believe that how go the schools so goes the town," Tierney contended. "We have to make the investments now, because the price we'll pay later down the road will be so much greater."
Tierney observed the proposed cuts are all parents are talking about at sporting events, birthday parties and day care. The majority, he added, believe the city should increase taxes to ensure students have what they need. Many parents plan to attend tonight's committee meeting to support their students and teachers.
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