Road Map Project & Race to the Top

Renton School District

August 2015

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What is The Road Map Project?

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The “Road Map Project” is a collective impact initiative aimed at getting dramatic improvement in student achievement – cradle through college/career in South Seattle and South King County.

Road Map Project Goal

The Road Map Project goal is to double the number of students in South King County and South Seattle who are on track to graduate from college or earn a career credential by 2020.

We are committed to nothing less than closing the unacceptable achievement gaps for low-income students and children of color, and increasing achievement for all students from cradle to college and career.

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Race to the Top Grant Overview

• In 2012, South King County communities came together to apply for Race to the Top in support of the Road Map Project.

• $40 million grant over four years from U.S. Department of Education• This is Year 4 (the last year for most projects)

• Focus is personalized learning in service of the Road Map Project goals:

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Race to the Top Projects

Start Strong is our emphasis on Early Learning, preK-3rd grade.

STEM Strong addresses the need to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Math skills throughout the region.

Stay Strong helps students bridge the connection from high school to post-secondary opportunities and career.

Priority Focus for RTT: High-Need Schools

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We have high-need schools all across the region, serving the most low-income students.

Grant Overview: Investments

Tier 1: System-Wide Impact (Commitments, non-

Investment Fund projects)

Tier 2: High-Need Schools

(Investment Funds)

Tier 3: Intensive School-

Community Partnerships (Deep Dives)

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All Schools Across the Region• 61% students of color• 53% FRPL• 14% ELL

High-Need Schools• 83% students of color• 78% FRPL• 26% ELL

Accomplishments So Far

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$17 Million Awarded to

Districts

One Common Kindergarten Registration Day for All Districts

Online Math & Science

Programs in Elementary &

Middle Schools

New Career Exploration

System Breaks Ground

Nearly 13,000 Students Take SAT for Free

During School Day

6%-point Increase in Students

Taking AP/IB

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Project Description Amount Investment Fund Teaching & Leading (P1)

Leadership/Teacher Academy & Summer Bridge for Math $824,449

Data Portal (P2) Data Dashboard Training and Implementation $47,952

High Functioning PreK-3 (P3A) Implementation of PreK-3 plan $12,290

Investment Fund for PreK-3 (P3B) Implementation of PreK-3 plan $417,854

Digital Learning Tools (P4) Digital Learning Tools, Hardware & Professional Development $318,372

Renton’s Investments

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Project Description Amount Career Awareness & Exploration (P5) Career Exploration Tools $7,225

Middle and High School Advising (P6) Advising coordinators $137,944

College & Career Readiness Pathway (P7)

Teacher Training & Supplies for SAT, PSAT & ReadiStep $183,226

College & Career Ready Investment Fund (P8) IB Support $418,122

Program Evaluation Data collection and management $13,680 Investment Fund and Community Partnerships (DD3) Contracts with additional districts $298,498

Total $2,679,612

Renton’s Investments

Partnerships

• A big focus of our grant is to foster partnerships

– Among the seven school districts

– Between school districts and community-based organizations

– Among community-based organizations

• Strong partnerships help us reach our student outcome goals

• Our external evaluator conducted a study on partnerships in the Road Map region in spring 2015

Preliminary Findings: Partnership Successes So Far• Establishing common kindergarten registration

• Attaining greater participation in College Board exams

• Reaching more families

• Providing wraparound services

• Offering programs that schools would not normally have been able to offer

• Having more stakeholders appreciate the conversations that are happening as a result of the RTT-D efforts

• Having stakeholders generally feeling good about the direction they are moving in despite communication challenges

Preliminary Findings: Partnership Challenges

• Need for more opportunities to learn from one another

• Different visions of partnerships

• Lack of adequate infrastructure for authentic CBO-District partnerships

• Power dynamics

o Representation of stakeholders

o Funding structure

RTI Recommendations for Addressing Challenges

• Deepen the work of the partnership as a Learning Community

• Sustain a common vision and continue conversations about equity

• Develop system-wide supports for authentic CBO–school district partnerships

• Balance power dynamics

o equitable representation of stakeholders

o equitable funding structure

Renton’s Investments• Social network analysis of Renton School District and CBO

network

17*Based on surveys of Renton district and CBO staff (n=12)Please visit www.roadmapracetothetop.org for the full report.

Our Ask

• Stay informed • Project information on http://roadmapracetothetop.org/• Bi-weekly updates sent to districts leads

• Communicate! Help us share the great news about how kids and families are being helped by the Road Map Project & Race to the Top

• Continue this important work by planning now for sustainability beginning in 2016-17

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