Venture Fund launches first investments 

Hundreds of high school freshmen in Detroit and Warren are entering a more supportive learning environment this academic year with the help of United Way. These environments include nine "small schools" and three learning communities, launched as part of the first round of investments made by The Greater Detroit Education Venture Fund.

The Greater Detroit Education Venture Fund was created by United Way to turn around our region's 30 schools with dropout rates of 40 percent or more. With the help of United Way, participating schools will attain an 80 percent graduation rate within five years. The Fund provides support to schools who are approved partners and includes funding from AT&T, Ford Motor Company Fund, the Skillman Foundation, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

United Way's turnaround efforts are based on a proven model that has had success in other communities. The model centers on three components critical to creating high performing schools in high poverty areas:

• Changing conditions within the schools so that administrators have control over their staff, students, and budget.
• Providing a network of schools locally and nationally who are committed to the work and share best practices for success.
• Increasing capacity of schools by bringing in an intermediary with turnaround experience to support the school and ensure it succeeds.

The launch of the small schools and learning communities is a step that changes conditions within the school environment to provide increased attention per student. In a typical school, many students may feel lost in the crowd and without a watchful eye, may falter. In the turnaround model, the smaller schools allow at least one teacher to mentor and advocate for each student for the duration of his or her high school career, increasing the student's chances for success. In addition, the schools employ hands-on, project- and inquiry-based instruction which helps students develop deeper critical thinking skills and apply their knowledge to the real world.

The new small schools in Detroit are:

• Academy of Critical Thinkers at Cody High School
• Detroit Institute of Technology at Cody High School
• Academy of Medicine and Community Health at Cody High School
• Academy of Public Leadership at Cody High School
• Osborn Evergreen Academy of Design & Technology Academy
• Osborn University of Science, Mathematics, & Technology Academy
• Osborn College Preparatory Academy

In Warren, Van Dyke Public Schools are offering smaller learning environments through three learning communities. Lincoln High School is now made up of three small learning communities which consist of:

• Design and Technology
• Sports Medicine
• Performing Arts

Each of these schools or communities has a dedicated principal who leads and guides the educational process within the individual school and is accountable for making sure students achieve. With passionate principals and faculty at the helm, there is a renewed commitment among the schools to this new personalized and rigorous learning environment that has proven so effective in other cities.

If you're interested in learning more about K-12 education reform and the success it's had in other cities, please join United Way and others on Nov. 2 for a screening of The Providence Effect, a movie that tells the amazing story of an inner-city school in Chicago. You can attend a preview and discussion from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., or attend the movie screening at 7 p.m.

Running to Live United

On October 18, more than 19,000 runners participated in the 32nd annual Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon. Among those runners, nearly 30 demonstrated the Live United spirit by running on behalf of United Way. In addition, another 35 volunteers supplied plenty of spirit at cheer stations along the route. 

For the first year United Way was a charity partner in the marathon, allowing individuals and teams to run and fundraise on our behalf. As our runners trained hard for the half marathon, full marathon or 5K events, they also worked to raise over $1,600 to support our work in education, income and basic needs.

Photos from the day can be found here. We are already planning next year’s marathon festivities. It’s never too early to start training. If you’d like to Live United at the 2010 Detroit marathon on October 17, click here and sign up!

In the news
United Way's work, as featured in news articles and blogs.

Michigan nonprofits reinvent themselves and education. Dome Magazine, September 2009. Examines the strides nonprofits are making to improve education, including United Way's high school turnaround efforts.

United Way needs help of all. The Detroit News, October 2009. Daniel Howes' column explores the need to support United Way during this critical time in our region.

How to close the achievement gap for Hispanic kids: Start Early. United Way's blog, October 2009. Discusses a recent New York Times article identifying early childhood development gaps in the Hispanic community.