Urban
elementary school principals say they welcome Experience Corps in
their schools primarily because it boosts their bottom line –
student academic achievement.
Nine out of 10 urban elementary school principals surveyed by Policy
Studies Associates say that the presence of Experience Corps in
their schools substantially improves student academic performance,
increases students’ readiness to learn, and positively affects
students’ self-confidence and attitude toward school.
“Principals,
coping with the press of ever-rising academic expectations and administrative
challenges, have no time for programs that do not serve their purposes,”
notes the Policy Studies Associates report. “Experience Corps
has won their allegiance and respect.”
Experience
Corps is a national service program for Americans over 55. Today,
its 1,500 members serve as tutors and mentors in elementary schools
in 13 cities across the country. In Minneapolis,
Experience Corps is hosted by Volunteers of America of Minnesota.
Mary Noble, principal at Howe Elementary School in Minneapolis,
is convinced of the program’s benefits. “The relationships
that develop between the older adults from Experience Corps and
the students are invaluable. The students know the adults care about
them, and they look forward to the time spent each day working on
reading or math skills. The extra attention helps us reach the goal
of having every child succeed in school.”
Mike Weber is president and CEO of Volunteers of America of Minnesota.
“We hear so many positive things about Experience Corps from
principals and teachers across the city,” Weber says, “it’s
great to know that principals across the country feel the same way.”
John Gomperts, CEO of Experience Corps, sums up the program’s
benefits this way: “By combining a vital resource –
Americans over 55 – with a critical need – kids who
need one-on-one attention to succeed – Experience Corps provides
benefits to the students, the older adults, the schools and our
communities. It’s a win-win-win.”
Other highlights from the survey include:
-
Nearly all principals – 99% – are satisfied with Experience
Corps, with 74% of them saying they are “extremely satisfied.”
-
91% report that Experience Corps provides significant support
for attainment of academic standards.
-
Three out of four principals say Experience Corps provides significant
benefits to students’ classroom participation, behavior,
and attendance.
-
Nine out of 10 principals say Experience Corps has a big impact
on student attitudes toward older adults.
-
Nine out of 10 principals say Experience Corps improves the overall
school atmosphere.
-
Principals say Experience Corps is better than other school-based
volunteer programs in several key areas.
- 87% say its members are more reliable.
- 83% say it provides more intergenerational benefits.
- 73% say it provides better coordination.
- 69% say it provides better team structure.
- 67% say it provides better program design.
Policy Studies Associates, an independent research and evaluation
organization specializing in studies of education improvement, was
commissioned by Experience Corps last fall to do an independent
survey of principals in elementary schools where Experience Corps
operates.
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Experience Corps… new adventures in service
www.experiencecorps.org
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