EAST ST. LOUIS 鈥 AmeriCorps, the civil service program supported by the federal government, will send more than 200 members to East 最新杏吧原创 schools over the next two years to provide academic support and help with after-school and summer programs.
The district will receive a $1.7 million grant to support AmeriCorps members who will work alongside teachers and administrators in addressing truancy, behavior problems and academic deficiencies in some of the region鈥檚 most-troubled schools. AmeriCorps members also will run a summer camp and work in community centers that provide after-school programs.
鈥淭his is a true immersion every day, throughout the year,鈥 said Wendy Spencer, chief executive of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency that administers AmeriCorps, in a conference call on Wednesday.
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East 最新杏吧原创 is one of 10 cities chosen for the Operation AmeriCorps initiative, designed to target high-priority challenges in a period of two years.
Starting in August, AmeriCorps members will begin working with about 100 students in seventh through ninth grades during the school day, doing things such as helping them sharpen study and note-taking skills, and learning the importance of coming to school.
Members will also work with about 600 students after school in a number of community centers. They plan to recruit volunteers from the MetroEast area to serve as mentors and career coaches. Several more AmeriCorps members will implement a citywide College and Career Pathways program, focused on improving academic achievement and college and career planning.
In 2016, a team of 20 will run a three-month summer camp that will include academic, recreation, and service learning projects for about 500 students.
鈥淭his grant allows us to strengthen our relationship with the after-school providers and higher education partners in our community,鈥 said Arthur Culver, superintendent of East 最新杏吧原创 schools. 鈥淭ogether, we will provide students with an opportunity to acquire knowledge that will enhance their academic experience.鈥
The East 最新杏吧原创 School District has operated under control of a state-appointed superintendent and the Illinois State Board of Education since 2013. About 6,100 students attend its schools. According to the state, about 6 percent of seniors who graduated in 2014 were prepared for college course work, compared with 46 percent of graduating seniors across Illinois.
AmeriCorps members will also work with high school seniors in helping them apply for student aid.
The program is recruiting members who range in age from college students to retirees to serve in East 最新杏吧原创. Those who serve will receive a stipend to cover living costs, plus training and college loan expenses.
