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Epps Christian Center describes Steps to Success program; reports reading and math gains
Summary
Epps Christian Center's Steps to Success program told the Escambia County Children's Trust board it serves about 40 students in grades 3'5, meets Saturdays and runs a four-week summer camp; the presenters reported 86% reading improvement and 82% math improvement among participating students in recent assessments.
Pamela Wright, program director of Steps to Success at Epps Christian Center, gave a special presentation to the Escambia County Children's Trust board describing the out-of-school program's schedule, activities and results.
"Our mission is to empower our underserved students through quality education in the STREAM fields," Wright said, referring to science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and mathematics. Wright said Steps to Success meets Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the school year and runs a four-week summer camp. The program's stated target population is students in grades 3 through 5; current feeder schools listed by staff were Global Learning, Montclair Elementary, CA Wise Elementary and Warrenton Elementary.
Laquita Cobb, site coordinator, described hands-on activities, community partnerships and mentoring. Cobb said the program uses IXL and other tools, shows students a leaderboard to encourage practice, and takes field trips including to the Pensacola airport, the University of West Florida and a bird park. Board members asked program staff for participation numbers; staff answered the program currently serves about 40 children.
Wright told the board the program's recent assessment results showed 86% of participating students improved in reading and 82% improved in mathematics; staff attributed gains to summer and in-year activities including sustained reading practice, small-group instruction and mentoring.
Commissioner May (district representative) thanked the presenters and noted the program reinforces school-day strategies and immediate feedback that teachers use; he said the results were "obvious in those schools." The board received the presentation and had no further questions.
The presenters provided a printed annual report and said program materials and the trust's annual report are available on the trust website's Impact tab, where contract and performance information is posted.
The board then moved on to grants and committee business.
