 Bringing you relevant news, research and policy updates
affecting children, youth and families. July 29, 2010 |
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Editor's Note
Beware what you wish for. A couple of decades ago, I remember eagerly anticipating an evaluation study of Boys and Girls Clubs that claimed to set them apart -- it actually found little data to demonstrate their effectiveness. Now we're learning what works almost weekly; but we have a new challenge: evidence-based studies can be misleading. At least that's the rebuttal to a provocative new study on the Harlem Children's Zone. Another recent study, cited in a New York Times article this week, raises questions about just how we judge success. If a job training program doesn't boost employment in the worst job market in decades, does that mean failure? There's more to these stories -- see the What Works section, below.
Also this week: with only a few working days left before the August Congressional recess and the onset of the election season, advocates are ramping up their action alerts urging improvements for kids. Grab your phones and help them out -- background info and alerts are in our DC section.
Advocates are fighting for more money to help the recovery and to fund proven solutions to improve outcomes for children and youth -- iin the meantime, local programs can find some helpful
hints on how to stretch what you've got in our Finding Funding section.
We've posted lots of new reports, data and analysis on SparkAction.org. Take action and let us know what matters most to you!
Keep up the good work, everyone,
Jan Jan Richter, Update editor, and the SparkAction team
SparkAction gives visitors stories, information and tools to learn about a range of issues and to take action to improve policies and programs, and, ultimately, the fabric of our nation as a whole.
To suggest content, email info@sparkaction.org.
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 New on SparkAction.org The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: What the 2010 Children's Budget Tells Us
Are we as a nation spending less on programs to benefit children and youth than in the past? To answer that question, we first need to know the amount of federal spending that affects children and youth. The Forum for Youth Investment's Danielle Evennou attended the recent Children's Budget Summit and has the take-aways.
Success on the Frontlines: Detroit Charter Schools Reconnect Homeless Youth
 Here's an in-depth look at how a group of charter schools are working with homeless students who have dropped out of or been expelled from public schools -- and finding success reconnecting students to high school and getting them ready for post-secondary opportunities.
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What Works, What Doesn't - and How Do We Know?  Evaluation Research in Youth Development
When funding is tight, the burden of proof for "what works" becomes even more important. This Brookings Institution commentary broadly summarize evaluation research in the youth development field and describes how the Obama administration is incorporating research in its tiered approach to federal funding for youth programs and services. This raises the question -- are youth programs prepared to demonstrate their effectiveness and are they ready to compete for funding based
on their performance? Youth of Color in Poverty
The Center for Law & Social Policy (CLASP) has a new website section on Youth of Color, where it reviews the findings about persistent poverty among children of color and the consequences for their futures in school and the workforce.
Defining Success for the Harlem Children's Zone
In our messaging research last week, we reported the importance of focusing on solutions. That means we have to pay careful attention to what does work, what doesn't and how we define and measure success. A Brookings report sparked a controversy last week when it questioned the effectiveness of the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), a comprehensive approach to solving neighborhood violence and poverty-driven family crises in a 100-block area in Harlem, New York. Researchers found that academic scores for students in the HCZ differed little from scores in other charter schools in Manhattan and the Bronx, suggesting that the schools improved academic achievement, not the wraparound services that are a hallmark to HCZ.  Is Job Training Effective in a Depressed Job Market?
In another controversy, the director of the Workforce Strategy Center, took exception to a New York Times article suggesting that job training doesn't work because it hasn't increased job placements in the current job market. Another evaluation study found that job training targeted to specific industry sectors seeking employees did indeed boost earnings and job success for participants. The House of Representatives unanimously passed the SECTORS Act which allows businesses, unions, the public workforce system and education and training providers to develop and implement plans that target job training within a geographic region.
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Makes sense, right? Less obvious is the fact that the U.S. is falling behind in college graduation rates compared to other wealthy nations. And that's not good news for our youth -- or our economy, which needs a skilled workforce to remain globally competitive.
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Washington, DC - Time for Action  Good News on Unemployment Benefits - Now Medicaid and Emergency Funds Too
Congress approved an extension
of unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted state benefits (to help 3 million people), but states won't get help meeting extra Medicaid costs nor the extension of TANF emergency assistance for families still shut out of the job market. The National Women's Law Center has a good action alert to keep the recovery going. Budget News
A House subcommittee has approved a $700 million increase for the Child Care Development Block Grant -- its biggest funding increase since 2000 -- as well as an $866 million increase for Head Start. The bill now advances to the full House committee and the subcommittee in the Senate. Check out the Labor-HHS Appropriations 2011 funding levels table to learn more about the increases. The House Education and Labor Committee has passed the Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act. Urge the White House, your Senators and Representatives to make the enactment of a child nutrition reauthorization bill that improves access to nutritional meals and snacks for children a top priority before they
adjourn. Welfare (TANF) Reauthorization Offers Opportunity
Programs and policies targeted to families in poverty have the potential to not only raise families out of poverty but also effect
lasting change on the developmental trajectory of a young child. TANF, the federal welfare legislation, is scheduled to be reauthorized this year, offering an opportunity to refocus and place greater emphasis on healthy development and better, longer lasting outcomes for both parents and children, according to Zero to Three. Proposed Rule Links Federal Student Aid to Loan Repayment Rates and Debt-to-Earnings Levels for Career College Graduates
On July 23, the Obama administration released its proposed regulations requiring for-profit career colleges to better prepare students for "gainful employment" or risk losing access to federal student aid. The rules seek to protect students from taking on debt they cannot repay and protect taxpayers from high loan default rates.
Jobs Now
The House passed legislation by a vote of 239-182 that will save over 100,000 education jobs. The National Education
Association says the Senate must follow suit before the August recess. Fiscal Commission - First, Do No Harm
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities concludes that our long-term debt comes not from current spending to strengthen the economic recovery, but from long-standing deficits deepened by tax cuts for the very wealthy and two unpaid wars. The Coalition on Human Needs is leading a campaign urging the President's Fiscal Responsibility
Commission to do no harm to low-income families and communities when it assesses recommendations for reducing our long-term debt.
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 Strategies for Success (on a Range of Topics)
July 29: Learn More to Improve Education
Some happenings today that you don't want to miss:  August 3 Webinar: Using Data to Improve College Success, from the Data Quality Campaign
With a growing focus on post-secondary success, the Pathways to College Network at the Institute of Higher Education Policy commissioned a
paper demonstrating how states, public colleges and universities can use research-driven data to improve student achievement and success. During this webinar, participants will be able to hear about the different ways in which states and post-secondary institutions can and
have used data to inform policy and practice.
August 5 Forum: Disconnected Youth: Defining the Population and Exploring Solutions
Much attention has been given to the number of students who drop out of high school, yet significant numbers of these students eventually do earn a credential, indicating that a robust "second-chance" system matters to young people.This American Youth Policy Forum will describe the disconnected youth population, provide an overview of research-supported best practices and include a panel of research and practitioner experts. Questions can be submitted prior to the forum, so send yours in!
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Education News: Improving Schools & Communities
Are States Using Better School Standards? Here's something you don't hear every day: good news about standards and testing. The Education Commission of the States says a recent Fordham report find that the core standards being adopted in many states are better than many of those previously adopted. 
Healthier Schools
It isn't a source of money, but the Clinton Foundation Healthy Schools Initiative is working with schools to improve access to healthier foods; increase physical activity opportunities before, during and after school; enhance nutrition education; and establish school employee wellness programs. Play Day 2010 - How Playgrounds Build Community
Playgrounds
are more than just spaces for kids to climb, they can be important places for imagination, cooperation and even community interaction -- new designs and equipment are helping make it possible. Find out how you can host a Play Day to build or improve playgrounds in your hometown this September, with help from KaBOOM! Engaging Students
One Teacher's Success: Engaging Students Who are Different from You
Here's an example of a teacher making lemonade out of the challenge of teaching students from different cultures. She offers tips on how to spark conversation and understanding between teacher and students, and among students themselves. Summer Reading for Reluctant Readers
Teachers, librarians, after-school
programs and parents can use these tips for engaging reluctant readers. Other News of Note Don't miss these reports and articles!
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Funding Alerts & Ideas
 SparkAction is always posting new grants and alerts in the Fund & Sustain Your Work section of our Action Center!
Here's a peek at some of the latest tools to help you make the most of what you've got:
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Caitlin Johnson and Thaddeus Ferber
SparkAction and the Forum for Youth Investment
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