About BELL's School Partnerships

About Expanded Learning Partnerships Blending public and private resources is essential for sustaining expanded learning programs. BELL partners with schools, school districts, and community organizations to mobilize the talent and funding required for strong scholar outcomes.

Partnership Design BELL partners with public schools and school districts to expand learning and increase scholar achievement. By combining resources and sharing program costs, BELL and partner schools deliver high-quality summer and after school learning experiences that help scholars narrow the achievement gap, perform better in school, and transition from grade to grade successfully.

BELL leverages its infrastructure and experience to plan, deliver, and assess expanded learning programs that are aligned to school day and school year learning. It works with schools to access talent, set goals, and leverage school facilities.

✎ PARTNERSHIP GOALS BELL works with principals and superintendents to design expanded learning programs that meet specific goals. Program goals include: ¤ Increase scholars’ literacy and math skills.

PARTNERSHIP CHECKLIST Philanthropic Funding

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School Funding & In-Kind Contributions

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Summer Program Management

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Student Enrollment & Attendance

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Academic & Enrichment Curricula & Supplies

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Field Trips & Community Service

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Staff Recruitment, Hiring & Training

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Parent Engagement

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Classrooms & School Facilities Technology & Information Systems

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¤ Strengthen scholars’ self-confidence & social skills. ¤ Increase parental engagement.

Snack & Meal Service Assessment & Evaluation

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experienceBELL.org

✎ SCHOLAR ENROLLMENT BELL works closely with principals and teachers to identify the students who need expanded learning opportunities the most. Schools often use test scores as criteria for enrollment, and/or target specific grade levels or ranges for participation, such as third grade or middle school. BELL leads enrollment activities and maintains scholar records in its Scholar Management System in Salesforce.com.

✎ STAFFING & TRAINING With input from principals, BELL recruits and hires certified teachers to lead academic instruction and align expanded learning with school needs and priorities. BELL recruits teaching assistants to provide additional support in the classroom, as well as enrichment instructors to lead afternoon courses. Staff participate in trained through eLearning, webinars, and classroom-based training. In 2013, 94% of teachers reported that BELL helped them gain professional skills.

✎ FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Family involvement is a key component of BELL’s expanded learning programs. Program Managers lead parent outreach, while teachers regularly communicate with parents through phone calls, progress reports, and midprogram parent-teacher conferences. Parents are invited to volunteer during community service projects and special events, and attend Closing Ceremonies to learn about their scholars’ learning experience.

✎ PROGRAM MANAGEMENT BELL trains and supports a leader from the school community to serve as Program Manager. An experienced teacher serves as an Instructional Coach, overseeing assessment and helping teachers use data to differentiate instruction.

SUMMER PARTNERS, 2014 (Partial List) PARTNER

STATE

SCHOLARS

Winston-­‐Salem / Forsyth County Public Schools

NC

1,500

YMCA of the USA

USA

1,000

BalImore City Public Schools

MD

680

Boston Public Schools Office of English Language Learners

MA

880

NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

NY

765

Project LIFT

NC

620

NYC Summer Quest

NY

520

San Rafael City Schools

CA

500

Boston Public Schools

MA

500

Bridges Academy

CA

260

Mad Riven Public Schools

OH

250

Trotwood-­‐Madison Public Schools

OH

250

BRICK – Avon Academy

NJ

200

Partnership Profiles (2013) BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WINSTON-SALEM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Baltimore, MD

Winston-Salem, NC

Goal: Boost the academic achievements of scholars so they can advance to the next grade.

Goal: Expand summer learning opportunities from 1,000 scholars in 2012 to 1,500 scholars in 2013.

Partners: Baltimore City Schools, the National Summer Learning Association, the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, T. Rowe Price Foundation, and other local and national donors.

Partners: 5 schools, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, the Reynolds American Foundation, and other local and national donors.

Outcomes: 577 scholars enrolled in BELL Summer and gained three months’ grade-equivalent literacy skills and five months’ math skills, on average.

Outcomes: 1,635 scholars enrolled in BELL Summer and gained more than two months’ grade-equivalent literacy and math skills, on average.

Sample BELL Summer Schedule experienceBELL.org