Results by Term: K-12 Academic Performance

Preparing and Fielding High-Quality Surveys: Practical Strategies for Successfully Implementing Neighborhood and School Climate Surveys in Promise Neighborhoods

Author: Kaitlin Franks Hildner, Elizabeth Oo, Peter A. Tatian | Year of Publication: 2015

This document builds on earlier guidance on preparing and administering surveys in chapter 7 of Measuring Performance: A Guidance Document for Promise Neighborhoods on Collecting Data and Reporting Results. The document also expands on lessons learned from the experiences of Promise Neighborhoods implementation grantees to provide practical guidance on how to prepare and manage high-quality neighborhood and school surveys. 

Continually Improving Promise Neighborhoods: The Role of Case Management Data

Author: Mary Bogle, Sarah Gillespie, Christopher Hayes | Year of Publication: 2015

This report summarizes how to review case management data in the context of a Promise Neighborhood’s strategy, particularly its theory of change and results framework. Although written based on experience gained working with Promise Neighborhoods, the guidance can be adapted to similar place-based and comprehensive change efforts.

Promoting Academic Proficiency in Promise Neighborhoods

Author: PolicyLink | Year of Publication: 2015

Academic achievement is vital to children's educational attainment and economic well-being. The Promise Neighborhoods Institute at PolicyLink hosted this webinar to discuss best practices and approaches to improve academic proficiency rates in Promise Neighborhoods communities (Government Performance and Results Act indicator 4 per previous 2013 guidance). The webinar features the following experts:

• Sherry Taubert, Project Director, Berea Promise Neighborhood
• Christina Theokas, Ph.D., Director of Research, Education Trust

School Readiness and Promise Neighborhoods

Author: First 5 LA | Year of Publication: 2015

This presentation explores school readiness research and the best practices and trends affecting school readiness. It also introduces First 5 LA's Early Childhood Education strategy.

From Cradle to Career: The Multiple Challenges Facing Immigrant Families in Langley Park Promise Neighborhood

Author: Molly M. Scott, Graham MacDonald, Juan Collazos, Ben Levinger, Eliza Leighton, Jamila Ball | Year of Publication: 2014

With estimates predicting that immigrants and their children will account for most U.S. population growth over the next four decades, it is critical to understand how to build ladders of opportunity for these families. This report assesses the needs of Langley Park, an immigrant neighborhood outside Washington, DC. Langley Park families are resilient but experience substantial hardships that may stall the progress of subsequent generations. At six crucial life transitions, children lag behind on indicators of future success.

Promise Neighborhood Target Setting Guidance

Author: Sarah Gillespie Ellis and Peter Tatian | Year of Publication: 2014

Promise Neighborhood implementation grantees are required to set and submit baselines, actual performance data, and targets for each Government Performance and Results Act indicator and for all 5 years of the grant program. While grantees were required to address targets in their applications, these targets were set before complete baseline data were available at each site and before the following publication was released: “Measuring Performance: A Guidance Document for Promise Neighborhoods on Collecting Data and Reporting Results.” This continuing guidance identifies several data sources, considerations, and methods sites may consider when setting targets.

Some Considerations Pertinent to a Promise Neighborhoods National Evaluation

Author: Promise Neighborhoods Institute | Year of Publication: 2014

This document describes key issues to consider when undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the performance and impact of the Promise Neighborhoods grantees at large. The guidance offers the perspective of organizations working at the intersection of evaluation and practice—seeking to improve the outcomes for children and families with low incomes and to understand the most effective ways of measuring results.

Building the Capacity of Educators and Service Providers to Support Black Male Achievement

Author: PolicyLink | Year of Publication: 2014

This webinar, hosted by the Promise Neighborhoods Institute at PolicyLink, discusses professional development programs being implemented in Promise Neighborhoods to effectively promote the academic achievement of children of color with low incomes, with a focus on Black boys and young men.

A Developmental Pathway for Achieving Promise Neighborhoods Results

Author: Promise Neighborhoods Institute | Year of Publication: 2014

This important tool was developed to help Promise Neighborhood communities and the field at large better understand the external conditions and developmental milestones needed to build the cradle- to- career continuum and to achieve the goals and outcomes set forth in Promise Neighborhoods. The tool illustrates the developmental pathways necessary to achieve the Promise Neighborhoods vision.

Who Cares About Data?

Author: Sarah Gillespie | Year of Publication: 2014

This blog post discusses how data-driven programs and communities are better equipped to work toward solutions that provide results to their communities. The blog draws on the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative's work on chronic absenteeism as an example.