Operation Xcel“Promoting Excellent Communities Education & Leadership”

Mission

• Operation Xcel is a 501(C) (3) entity that engages students, parents and the community to increase educational, social and career skills through academic enrichment, parenting and advocacy, and empowerment workshops. We also provide access and tools to technology literacy.

How do we achieve the outcome• Operation Homework – daily afterschool homework

assistance, tutoring and enrichment

• Saturday Academy – monthly academic, social skills and emotional enrichment

• 3-Steps Ahead – summer enrichment camp

• Communities First Classes – weekly 2 hour training sessions for parents. Series offered

– Basic computer skills

– Microsoft office applications

– Financial Literacy

• Millionaires in Training – Entrepreneurial Training

Operation Homework

• Operation Homework seeks to transform the lives of underserved populations by empowering individuals and families with life skills and the support needed to become responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education, careers, and service to the community.

Targets• Poor study habits

• Declining test scores

• Lack of desire for learning

• Academic and social weaknesses

This initiative promotes knowledge, skills, and understanding through enriching learning opportunities that complement the school day.

Services Provided:

• Homework completion

• Standardized test preparation

• Study habits training

• College entrance assistance

• Research assistance

• Individualized academic counseling

• Enrichment activities

Beauty on the Inside & Outside

Student Demographics

• Poor Grades: 60%• PEP 75%• IEP 25%• School suspensions 52%• Low sense of belonging:

14%

• Dropout in family 25%• Single or grand 39%• Parents w/ addiction

11%• Low Income 54%%• Learning Disabled 29%

Other Data Collected at Enrollment• 60%  poor grades   

• 29%  learning disabled

• 25%  have IEP, 75% have PEP

• 25% have a dropout in family

• < 1% have parents that completed college

• 52%  school suspensions

• 39% live with a single parent or grandparent

• 54% income below 200% of poverty level

Research Based

• Research also shows that

if caring, concerned adults are available to young people, youth will be more likely to become successful adults themselves

•Students perform better academically when social and emotional areas are addressed as well

Operation Homework Success

• 63% improved level in Reading as measured by EOG scale scores

• 56% improved level Math as measured by EOG scale scores

• Volunteer Hours increased yr over yr – 300 in 07/08 – 700+  in 09/10 – 1000+ in 10/11

Saturday Academy SuccessWe were able to give 50+ youth the opportunity to

experience such things as the: • Bodies Revealed Exhibit at the Natural Center• Future Cents: The Reality Store at the Public

Library supporting  financial literacy; • EOG (End-of- Grade) test boot camp, • Etiquette Training and lunch at Fleming’s and

many more.

Community First Training

• 75% of enrollees lacked basic knowledge of word processing, accessing and conducting research on the internet, and using email as measured by assessments

• 89%  of students shifted to Good, Very Good or Exceptional in the above mentioned areas as measured by assessments administered by instructors 

3 Steps Ahead Summer Camp• 30% of students improved in reading by

an entire year of instructional level. All remaining students improved by at least 10%.

• In math, average improvement is 18%.

• For 2011, we added a Summer Foods Component (USDA program) serving 35+ students 1662 meals.

CHALLENGES

• Communication

• Attendance

• Parent Engagement

• Transportation/ Location

Overall Key Accomplishments 2007-2011• Improved suspension rates by of students served• Math EOG 75% passed on 1st attempt, 85% passed or

increased level on 2nd attempt• Reading EOG 55% passed on 1st attempt, 80% passed or

increased level on 2nd attempt• Higher level EOC: 80% passed on 1st attempt• Expanded computer lab by increasing operational hours• Increased # students enrolled in higher level courses 17.6%• 98% of Seniors graduate (1 GED)• 4000+ Volunteer Hours college students and community• Clients/Students gave 1000+ volunteer hours