experienceBELL.org

Blending public and private resources is essential for sustaining expanded learning programs. BELL partners with schools, school districts, and community organizations to mobilize the talent and funding required for strong scholar outcomes.

Partnership Design  

BELL partners with public schools and school districts to expand learning and increase scholar achievement. By combining resources and sharing program costs, BELL and partner schools deliver high-quality summer and after school learning experiences that help scholars narrow the achievement gap, perform better in school, and transition from grade to grade successfully.

BELL leverages its infrastructure and experience to plan, deliver, and assess expanded learning programs that are aligned to school day and school year learning. It works with schools to access talent, set goals, and leverage school facilities.

✎  PARTNERSHIP GOALS

BELL works with principals and superintendents to design expanded learning programs that meet specific goals. Program goals include:

¤  Increase scholars’ literacy and math skills.

¤  Strengthen scholars’ self-confidence & social skills.

¤  Increase parental engagement.

PARTNERSHIP CHECKLIST

Philanthropic Funding ¤

School Funding & In-Kind Contributions ¤

Summer Program Management ¤

Student Enrollment & Attendance ¤ ¤

Academic & Enrichment Curricula & Supplies ¤

Field Trips & Community Service ¤

Staff Recruitment, Hiring & Training ¤

Parent Engagement ¤

Classrooms & School Facilities ¤

Technology & Information Systems ¤ ¤

Snack & Meal Service ¤

Assessment & Evaluation ¤

About Expanded Learning Partnerships

✎  SCHOLAR ENROLLMENT

BELL works closely with principals and teachers to identify the students who need expanded learning opportunities the most. Schools often use test scores as criteria for enrollment, and/or target specific grade levels or ranges for participation, such as third grade or middle school. BELL leads enrollment activities and maintains scholar records in its Scholar Management System in Salesforce.com.

✎  STAFFING & TRAINING

With input from principals, BELL recruits and hires certified teachers to lead academic instruction and align expanded learning with school needs and priorities. BELL recruits teaching assistants to provide additional support in the classroom, as well as enrichment instructors to lead afternoon courses. Staff participate in trained through eLearning, webinars, and classroom-based training. In 2013, 94% of teachers reported that BELL helped them gain professional skills.

✎  FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Family involvement is a key component of BELL’s expanded learning programs. Program Managers lead parent outreach, while teachers regularly communicate with parents through phone calls, progress reports, and mid-program parent-teacher conferences. Parents are invited to volunteer during community service projects and special events, and attend Closing Ceremonies to learn about their scholars’ learning experience.

✎  PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

BELL trains and supports a leader from the school community to serve as Program Manager. An experienced teacher serves as an Instructional Coach, overseeing assessment and helping teachers use data to differentiate instruction.

Sample BELL Summer Schedule  

WINSTON-SALEM PUBLIC SCHOOLS Winston-Salem, NC

Goal: Expand summer learning opportunities from 1,000 scholars in 2012 to 1,500 scholars in 2013.

Partners: 5 schools, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, the Reynolds American Foundation, and other local and national donors.

Outcomes: 1,635 scholars enrolled in BELL Summer and gained more than two months’ grade-equivalent literacy and math skills, on average.

BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Baltimore, MD

Goal: Boost the academic achievements of scholars so they can advance to the next grade.

Partners: Baltimore City Schools, the National Summer Learning Association, the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, T. Rowe Price Foundation, and other local and national donors.

Outcomes: 577 scholars enrolled in BELL Summer and gained three months’ grade-equivalent literacy skills and five months’ math skills, on average.

Partnership Profiles (2013)

experienceBELL.org

SUMMER PARTNERS, 2014 (Partial List)

PARTNER STATE   SCHOLARS  

Winston-­‐Salem  /  Forsyth  County  Public  Schools   NC   1,500  

YMCA  of  the  USA   USA   1,000  

BalImore  City  Public  Schools   MD   680  

Boston  Public  Schools  Office  of  English  Language  Learners   MA   880  

NYC  Department  of  Youth  &  Community  Development   NY   765  

Project  LIFT   NC   620  

NYC  Summer  Quest   NY   520  

San  Rafael  City  Schools   CA   500  

Boston  Public  Schools   MA   500  

Bridges  Academy   CA   260  

Mad  Riven  Public  Schools   OH   250  

Trotwood-­‐Madison  Public  Schools   OH   250  

BRICK  –  Avon  Academy   NJ   200