Assign Dedicated Champions (mentor) to Support 9th Grade Black Students in our African American 9th Grade Academy (AA9A): each high school designates a mentor who builds authentic, consistent relationships with targeted students.

Implement Weekly Goal-Setting and Progress Monitoring: champions meet weekly with students to review academic performance, attendance, and behavior, helping them set and track individualized goals.

Coordinate Proactive Communication with Families and School Leadership: champions provide regular updates to administrators and share progress with families, especially for students identified as off-track.

70% of the AASLA cohort (9th-12th grade) will demonstrate college and career readiness by achieving a “C” or better in UC/CSU A-G approved courses by June 2024 - current baseline data not being tracked

An increase to 44% of the Black student graduating class meeting the UC/CSU requirements - current baseline – 119/348; 34% met UC/CSU requirements – 2020-2021

An increase to 89% of Black students graduating by June 2024 - current baseline - 84%

75% of all AASLA students will receive (monthly) mentor support - current baseline – less than 5%

85% of AASLA students will provide input/feedback via a survey - current baseline – less than 5% of students provide feedback

75% of families will attend the meetings - currently, no baseline data is available 

40% of families will provide input/feedback via a survey - currently, no baseline data is available 

Quantitative 

• Grades (D/F), A-G (on-track), attendance, and behavior

Qualitative 

• Student Feedback - “Needs Assessment - (over 900 received)

• Admin Feedback - “what needs to change” principals and staff enjoyed their Student Support Specialists and believed they were effective  

We had a lot of data, but the student outcomes were not changing enough 

We left a lot up to chance with our vender (need a partnership - training/check-ins)

Caseload too large per counselor 

Conversations with principals/admin helping us make changes and shifts (protect the integrity of the work) 

Maintain focus - must be mindful of how our Student Support Specialists are utilized at the site 

Ask the following questions - What are you most proud of? What’s the evidence of impact? Are there any barriers we can help you with?