The Tampa Bay Academy of Hope (TBAH), was recently awarded the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2009 Non-Profit Organization of the year award in the area of education. During the 2008/2009 school year, TBAH provided academic and leadership support services to identified students in the East Tampa area. Through coaching, leadership development, academic support, and ongoing monitoring, students and their parents were able to achieve specified goals.

This contract provides funds to allow additional students and their parents to participate in this program during the 2009/2010 school year. This year, TBAH will maintain dropout prevention services to students in the East Tampa area and expand services to both the Brandon and South Tampa areas. After a thorough selection process is complete, staff members from TBAH, along with community partners, will support identified students to improve grade point averages and academic achievement, increase their school attendance, decrease their misconduct and misbehavior, improve self-esteem, and develop leadership skills and abilities.

The Student Intervention Specialist, Drop-Out Prevention Specialist, or Guidance Counselor will serve as the school’s point of contact and assist TBAH staff with access to students and student information. Both students and parents will receive support throughout the remainder of the student’s middle and high school career. Both in-school monitoring programs and summer activities will be designed to help each student achieve his/ her goals. Ongoing monitoring will allow TBAH staff to provide feedback and interventions to help keep each student on track to graduation. The ultimate goal will be for all students participating in the program to eventually graduate from their respective high schools and pursue a tertiary degree or professional education.

* Motivate students to become responsible learners

The contract amount of $90,000 will be paid using Title I, Part D funds.

On May 12, 2009, TBAH submitted an end of year evaluation report utilizing student performance data to the Title I office. Of the students from Blake and Middleton high schools participating in the program throughout the year, 63% of the students increased their grade point average, 92% of the students had fewer unexcused absences or maintained regular attendance, and 88% of the students decreased their school misconduct. By August 1, 2010, participating students’ data will be analyzed to determine how students progressed toward program goals for the 2009/2010 school year. Grade point averages, attendance, behavior statistics, and graduation statistics will be reviewed with TBAH to determine the overall effectiveness of the program for each child. This information will be used when determining any future contracts.