How to Assess Progress

Luisa Crespo, The Literacy Project's cofounder and administrator, yours truly (Sydney Levine, cofounder) met with Erica Shehane, MSW, MPH who graduated from UCLA's School of Social Work and is now working with El Centro del Pueblo (one of two jobs she's holding). One of her specialties is program assessment. We want to build in program assessments to keep improving and eventually to expand.

 

Before beginning Erica suggested ways to find mentors. We might promote by email with large institutions or even visit them as I will this Thursday when I go to UCLA and speak with students in the School of Social Work. There are other colleges and universities from Otis Art Institute, FIT, and Trade Tech to USC's Schools of Social Work and Education. There are also nearby high schools.

 

Literacy and self esteem are crucial to social growth. We recognize at 68% of the dropout rate at UC are Latinos. We recognize the correlation between illiteracy and criminality. With schools closing down their preschool programs and the after school programs the need to help the youth of our cities is urgent.

 

To assess aspects of the program and its impact there may be milestones by month and larger milestones such as looking at participants' grades, graduation, etc.

 

An how can we engage volunteers and keep them? What works for each student? These are the two audiences whose retention is crucial.

 

These are some points to be aware of and to follow:

 

• Follow up with those who do not stay
• Qualitative conversations with participants, parents, El Centro and among mentors themselves
• Track attendance
• Clarity about where we are going
• Bi monthly meetings with Erica by phone and / or email
• Journal keeping is very important
• Anecdotal means are fine as a method of assessment.

A branded reassessment tool is called REAME.

 

REACH –

• Target: 16 mentors, 16 participants.
• What is our outreach plan to mentors and to participants

EFFECTIVENESS - Outcomes and changes for both the target populations

• Bigger commitment?
• Getting to know one another?
• Visible changes?
• Are kids progressing?
• Are the mentors staying?

ADOPTION – Reach at an organizational level – Of the 4 programs at El Centro:

• How much buy-in?
• Are there champions pushing it?
• Virgil MS staying together?
• El Centro – staying together?
• Setting staff support leadership?
• Top down?
• Implementation and change – what and why?

 

MAINTENANCE – Over time, resources

 

EFFECTIVENESS – 3 months, 6 months

• Need a Mission Statement
• Improving literary skills
• Improved self-esteem
• Need mentor goals 
• Need first month goals: e.g., get 16 mentors and participants
• Long range goals:
• Grants from such as Annenberg, Mary Pickford Fndn for Funing Meida, Liberty Hill, Federal Gov't
• Partners such as Community Centers, Schools, LA Latino Film Festival and membership, Los Angeles Film Festival