Tag Archive: national evaluation


Philanthropedia… more than just a 15 letter word

Filed Under: National Office by Briana Kerensky — 1 Comment
September 1, 2011

Today’s blog post comes from PR/Marketing Manager Cindy Nixon.

Philanthropedia mediaPhilanthropedia.

Once I could get around to pronouncing it, I took a minute to think about what being recognized as a “2011 Top Nonprofit” by this organization could mean to Communities In Schools. So I edged closer to the computer and did some research. A quick Google search allowed me to learn that Philanthropedia’s mission is to “improve nonprofit effectiveness by directing money to and facilitating discussion about expert-recommended, high-impact nonprofits.”

In laymen’s terms, they’re trying to give potential donors an idea of worthy causes to which they can give money. By delving a little deeper into their site, I also learned that Philanthropedia was acquired by GuideStar earlier this year.  As the industry leader in nonprofit data, GuideStar has an audience in the millions – professionals, funders, advisers and other individuals. Not too shabby if you ask me! View full article »

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Dropping Out – Still Relevant After All These Years

Filed Under: Dropout Epidemic by Tracey Savell Reavis — 1 Comment
August 4, 2011
Photo courtesy Terry McCombs via Flickr

Of the nearly 4 million kids who start ninth grade every year, 1 in 4 will not graduate.

Last week I tuned in to NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” and their special series, Dropping Out, A Life-Changing Decision.  They opened with an alarming statistic – of the nearly 4 million kids who start ninth grade every year, 1 in 4 will not graduate. There was talk about programs that provide course work and career counseling specifically for dropouts. And about how to involve parents in helping students go back to school. And as I listened and shook my head at the information, I remembered the original thought I’m embarrassed to say I’d had when I first joined Communities In Schools: How relevant of an issue is the dropout crisis today? View full article »

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Validating our mission: breaking down the five-year evaluation with Dan Cardinali

Filed Under: Dropout Epidemic, Education Reform, National Office by Briana Kerensky — Leave a comment
May 11, 2011

In February, Communities In Schools released the results of a comprehensive, five-year evaluation aimed at determining the effectiveness of the organization’s work. The results of the study validated Communities In Schools’ mission and provided valuable insight into the work needed to be done to make dropout prevention a success.

But what does it all mean? Communities In Schools President Dan Cardinali breaks down the value of the five-year evaluation’s results for the organization, for students and for nonprofits at large in Beyond the Classroom’s first Q&A. View full article »

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Keeping kids from the edge

Filed Under: Dropout Epidemic by Briana Kerensky — Leave a comment
April 13, 2011

When a student makes the choice to drop out of school, it’s not usually a spur-of-the-moment decision. Years of academic, financial and social struggles often weigh a young person down, and by the time a student is of legal age to quit the classroom, he or she may have long ago abandoned any hope of getting a diploma.

How young are these kids when their derailment from the road to graduation begins? A new study released last week shows that the warning signs begin right when a child is still in elementary school: third grade. View full article »

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And so it begins

Filed Under: General by Briana Kerensky — 5 Comments
March 18, 2011

Hello, and welcome to the launch of Beyond the Classroom, the official blog of the Communities In Schools national office! We’re taking the plunge into blogging to keep you up-to-date with the latest and greatest from one of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organizations.

Since 1977, Communities In Schools has operated within public school systems across the country. Our mission is simple: we surround students with a community of support, enabling them to stay in school and achieve in life.

While we work within schools, dropout risk factors – and their solutions – often exist outside the school doors…hence our blog’s name. How can a child focus in class if they don’t have enough to eat, don’t have warm clothes, or don’t have a positive role model? Communities In Schools helps students get through the problems they’re facing beyond the classroom, so that they can focus on school and succeed in life.

Our site coordinators determine student needs and establish relationships with local businesses, social service agencies, health care providers, and parent and volunteer organizations to provide essential resources. We are a network of nearly 5,000 passionate professionals and 57,000 volunteers who are transforming the lives of 1.3 million young people at greatest risk for dropping out. Our model of addressing both academic and human service needs is affordable, adaptable and accessible. And independent research shows that it works.

Check out Beyond the Classroom for amazing stories about Communities In Schools’ students, programs, volunteers and mentors across the country. In addition, we’ll be featuring point-of-view blog posts on important education issues, and information about ways you can help us make a difference in the lives of children. We’ll also be premiering some excellent multimedia, including inspiring interviews with Communities In Schools’ alumni and video posts from President Dan Cardinali.

If you have any questions about Beyond the Classroom or want to learn about how you can contribute to Communities In Schools, please contact Online Communications Specialist Briana Kerensky at kerenskyb@cisnet.org.

Enjoy!

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