Building Educated Leaders for Life: Closing the achievement gap after school hours

By Karin Piper | Charter Schools Examiner
Wednesday, April 21, 2010

---

What if we could bump up 80% of failing students to either ‘proficient’ or ‘advanced’ levels in Core skills—simply by providing solid summer and after school programs?

Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL), one of the nation’s leading providers of summer and afterschool education programs, is doing exactly that say some researchers.

The Urban Institute study “Impacts of a Summer Learning Program: A Random Assignment to study BELL,” showed that BELL scholars had higher overall reading scores than non-BELL scholars who attended the same amount of school.

And just last year, kids who attended the BELL Summer Program gained an average of six months grade-equivalent literacy and math skills, increased their standards tests by 11 points in reading, eight in math, and boosted confidence toward school.

What is BELL? And why is it so effective?

BELL is a national organization that offers services and support to dramatically increase the academic achievement, self-esteem and life opportunities of children living in under-resourced communities.

It offers supplemental educational programs and enrichment opportunities that encompass everything from reading, math, and sciences, to sports, arts, and music.

There are currently more than 11,000 children enrolled in BELL, primarily in public and charter schools throughout Augusta (GA), Baltimore (MD), Boston (MA), Charlotte (NC), NYC (NY), Detroit and Saginaw (MI).

BELL employs more than 1,000 teachers and tutors and services are often without cost to enrolled families.

One component that sets BELL apart from many other enrichment programs may also be the reason why its positive impact extends into entire schools and communities: In addition to the student focused services, BELL offers various parental involvement components.

Parents care deeply about their children’s academic success. Often lack of parental involvement is simply a sign that parents do not know how to contribute, or what is expected. BELL’s diverse programming includes various parental opportunities beginning with an information session prior to enrollment. As students continue through the program parents are educated on topics such as ‘how to navigate school choice,’ ‘understanding their child’s progress,’ ‘homework support,’ and more.

By including the entire family in the academic program, BELL assures that the torch of successful habits and expectations will be carried by the child’s support network much past the hours of summer school.

For more information
Schools, Districts, and Organizations seeking information about BELL programming
Families seeking BELL summer and after school programs near you

---

About Karin Piper:

Karin is a speaker, school choice advocate and author of award winning Charter Schools: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents. Karin provides communications and tools necessary for parents to become informed decision makers in the expanding world of education options. She also works with various organizations in engaging with surrounding communities and creating dynamic relationships with families. Karin can be contacted through karin@theeducationchoiceexpert.com or visit her website at charterschoolmom.com.