The Say Yes to Education Method through Elementary School

The elementary school years, encompassing grades K-5, are the time of the most focused onsite resources of the Say Yes program. Each school has a School Services Coordinator, Reading Specialist and Program Assistant on site to assist students in the cohort. The Say Yes Director will provide oversight and support. The schools themselves, or partnering community organizations, provide space for after-school tutoring in all subjects, summer programs, and other extra-curricular activities.

The role of the Reading Specialist is especially important in the elementary years. Say Yes’ experience is that the vast majority of students in at-risk schools read below grade level. Improving reading is the cornerstone for other educational improvements and for academic self-confidence. From February to June 2003, the Reading Specialist and her programs at the Bryant Chapter of Say Yes in Philadelphia succeeded in raising the reading levels of the majority of the 24 lowest scoring Say Yes students.

In addition to monitoring and supporting the educational development and progress of each child, the School Services Coordinator also oversees the emotional needs of every student and arranges for supplementary services by accessing services provided through the Say Yes office at the affiliated university.

Monthly academic team meetings will be held to monitor each child’s progress and to bring to light any need for supplementary support or care. Regular parental meetings are held to provide more information on the program and to guide parents on ways to augment their child’s educational progress.

The Director forges relationships with community-based and other social service agencies as a means of enlarging the web of support for Say Yes children. Planning for the transition to middle school, seeking and establishing relationships with Middle schools amenable to hosting and supporting the program are the responsibility of the Director. Every effort is made to cluster the Say Yes students together as the children enter middle school.

In-school tutoring and counseling in elementary years is supplemented by after school tutoring and educational programs as well as a comprehensive summer school program. This program includes reading specialists and is held in the facilities of the Say Yes elementary schools.

It is expected that 100% of students will go on to Middle School.

The Method Through Middle School

In the final year of the elementary program, Say Yes School Services Coordinators and reading specialists work with the principals of the middle schools toward which Say Yes students are headed to prepare them for the program. Say Yes also establishes administrative arrangements with these schools to ensure seamless sharing of records.

As the Say Yes cohort moves on to various middle school locations, the School Services Coordinators locate the Say Yes middle school office in the school with the largest percentage of the cohort. The Reading Specialist positions cease as the needs of the children, now pre-teens, evolve. Tutoring continues, as does counseling. Students attend Summer School, which helps prepare them for each upcoming school year. Parent conferences occur regularly and sibling and parent scholarships may be paid out.

The Method Through High School

As Say Yes 9th graders enter disparate high schools, each student retains a relationship with his School Services Coordinator. While there is an expectation that many Say Yes students will be scattered throughout the city, a core number are expected to attend local high schools, where student services will continue to be concentrated. Tutoring and counseling will be provided out of the affiliated university, as well academic enrichment, SAT preparation, career and college placement counseling, part-time job placement, college preparation courses and other mentoring programs.

Parent conferences throughout high school will be sought on a regular basis.

Post-Secondary Education

Students accepted by and entering two-year, four-year, technical or trade schools are eligible for their scholarship. The monies are paid directly to the institution and are payable towards full tuition less any other financial aid received.

Say Yes managers establish lines of communications with the administrators of the post-secondary schools attended by Say Yes students. Say Yes maintains and updates the records of its students in cooperation with those administrators. Say Yes also conducts an annual survey of its students during their post-secondary years to track and understand their experiences. These past surveys are now enabling Say Yes to anticipate and be proactive in addressing the post-secondary problems and needs of Say Yes students in the course of their educational and personal maturation.