MEC LCN Breakfast Series 2004 - 2005

2004 - 2005 SUMMARY

During the 2004 fall semester, the Medgar Evers College Learning Community Network embarked upon activities to implement Phase Two of the“Developing Networks of Responsibility to Educate America’s Youth” (DN) grant. Network activities focused on: (a) expanding the Network membership participating in the DN initiative, in particular, Region six schools, and (2) engaging Central Brooklyn educators, youth, families, and the broader community in the development of shared understandings and collaborative actions that address what Central Brooklyn youth need to know and be able to do for success in life. At the initial September Network breakfast meeting, the keynote speaker, Dr. Edward Joyner, Executive Director, Yale Child Study Center School Development Program, identified strategies for institutionalizing collaboration between colleges, local school districts and the broader community. He emphasized that theNetwork’s work must be driven by clarity of purpose and shared understanding of Central Brooklyn youth. Following Dr. Joyner’s address, Network members engaged in group discussions that yielded two priority topics: (1) education (educators and curriculum) and (2) youth and their families. Two follow-up Network meetings were held in November to gain information and highlight curriculum and programs relevant to the two priority topics. On November 6 th, the Medgar Evers College Education Department presented its restructured Teacher Education Program, which is grounded in national standards and current education research. On November 13 th, Region Six and Eight school administrators, school support staff, students and parents/caregivers explored the needs of youth and families and how school programs are addressing the identified needs. In December, following the exciting and productive November focus group meetings, a group of Network members visited the Yale Child Study Center School Development Program (SDP) in New Haven, CT. SDP is commonly referred to as the Comer Model, in recognition of its founder, noted child psychiatrist, Dr. James Comer. SDP is a renowned program that has guided the effective development and institutionalization of community and school partnerships around the country. The Network participants included educators, youth, parents, and community organizations. A full day interactive workshop on the Comer Model was conducted by Dr. Ann Levett, Deputy Director, Yale Child Study Center School Development Program in New Haven, CT. On January 22nd, members came together to share the knowledge and understandings gained from the focus group sessions and Yale Child Study Center School Development Program. The meeting was opened by words of inspiration from Medgar Evers College President Edison O. Jackson and Mona Bailey, Co-Director Institute for Educational Inquiry and Central Brooklyn’s DN Grant Initiative Facilitator. During the working session, participants explored ways to put words into concrete collaborative actions. Throughout the spring semester, Network continued the process of identifying and institutionalizing collaborative actions that support what Central Brooklyn youth need to know and be able to do for success in life.