This month, Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts introduced the Teaching Fellows for Expanded Learning and After-School Act (T-FELAS), with Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina as the Republican co-sponsor. This initiative would create a 10,000-member national corps of recent college graduates who would lead afterschool programs, working in schools in the morning. This proposal promises not only to advance achievement for lower income children, but also to create a new professional pathway for young educators.

A new survey of 1,200 teens conducted by Junior Achievement Worldwide shows that nearly one-in-five (18.1%) students surveyed said they participate in after-school programs at churches, temples and other faith-based facilities. Fewer than one-in-ten students (8.6%) participate in more traditional after-school settings, such as at a YMCA, Boys & Girls Club or similar facility. Most students (58.6%) participate in after-school programs at their schools.

The Milledgeville High Achievers in the Carrera Model Program are spending 9 Saturdays this winter and spring participating in an outdoor education program at Georgia College & State University. The theme of the semester for these 8th graders has been "transition" - the importance and meaning of transition from middle to high school: from young man/lwoman to a young adult: and the importance of mental, physical, social, and emotional preparation for high school.

The outdoor education curriculum includes a sequenced set of group development, low and high challenge courses, and tango tower activities focused on skills important in high school. Topics include leadership, team effectiveness, problem solving, trust, cooperation, communication, diversity, self-efficacy, and group development. The High Achievers will also participate in an environmental and navigation program called "geo-learning adventure" which incorporates map, compass, GPS and environmental content into small team challenges. In essence, the High Achievers get lost and find themselves using a GPS system. The outdoor program continues until the end of April when the program will host a celebration for family, friends, and community citizens to come and ask questions about their journey.

For more information on this program, please contact Linda Watson-Kauffman at 478.445.0145.

The national office for Project 2010 in New York City reports 12,000 supporters have signed on nationwide to support afterschool for all U.S. children and youth. Almost one-quarter of those signed up are from Georgia! Please keep up all your good work of collecting new signatures throughout our state so that we can ensure all of Georgia’s kids have safe, affordable, and high-quality afterschool opportunities.

We are making real progress!

Scholastic’s new After School Learning program is an “out-of-the-box” multimedia package focusing on hidden learning and empowering students to have fun while they learn. Based on established research, scholastic’s program is designed to enhance comprehension in the core content areas, using “out- of-the-box” methods and activities that promote problem solving and stimulate critical thinking skills, while accommodating diverse learning styles. All included lesson plans are engaging and aligned to national and Georgia Performance Standards. For additional information on Scholastic’s After School Learning Program or their reading package Get Booking, please contact local Scholastic Library Publishing Representatives, Lynn O’hara (x4820) of Jeanie Rowe (x4378) at (800) 825-4579.

For more information, please call 404.527.7232.