Problem: Most highly qualified teachers avoid working at schools in areas where funding and pay are low. They are also leaving due to a lack of respect within their work environment

• results in low quality teachers working in schools with less many

Solutions: 

1.  Include incentives in negotations, such as college repayment, a stipend for classroom supplies, etc.

2. Retention stipend/ signing bonus

3. Create more teacher appreciation days that students have to partake in.

Problem: Absenteeism rate is higher than normal in Dayton High Schools due to students working to provide another income for their family, AND high schoolers are not provided with a school bus, only the RTA.

Solutions:

1. Suggest a partnership between the school and certain businesses that allows the students to work after school hours, as well as setting a limit of how many hours they are working each week

2. Create jobs within the school, such as tutoring, that students can work

3. Use the money for the RTA bus passes to hire more bus drivers

Problem: After COVID-19, students have not been able to pick up course material as quickly as before and are falling behind, resulting in less motivation in class, which follows them until graduation. This all relates back to the achievement gap which has increased since COVID-19.

Solutions:

1. Offer free tutoring and after school programs to students who are struggling and do not have access to learning at home

2. Create core courses which are tailored to different groups of student's interest, and put less stress on them

3. Use federal funding to create classes that are based on tutoring or exam prep, like a SAT/ ACT Prep Class

The Kids in Need Foundation focuses on providing schools, teachers, and students with essential school supplies. They offer a variety of different programs including

• Supply a Student

• Supply a Teacher 

• Second Responder 

• RISE: Rural and Indigenous School Equity 

• Kids Helping Kids 

• A National Network of Resource Centers  

Here is a quote from their website discussing their initiative, "School supplies and resources matter because they represent belonging and ownership of a student's education and a teacher's career. They empower underestimated students to recognize that they have choices and to make choices for themselves and their futures. For teachers facing rooms full of students struggling to break the cycle of poverty, supplies level the playing field so all students are prepared to learn when the bell rings".

To learn more visit

 https://www.kinf.org

Safety Dog 

First Students safety mascot that teaches kids about the importance of school bus safety. Schools can plan events with Safety Dog where students will sign a school bus safety pledge, get a picture with Safety Dog, and “Walk the Yellow Carpet”. This also allows parents to see firsthand how First Student buses are designed for the safety of all students. 

To learn more visit

https://firststudentinc.com

Kids in New Directions is a free inner-city youth organization in Dayton that provides an after-school program, a summer program, a mentoring program, a neighborhood improvement program, and a family support program. KIND helps students thrive while also closing the achievement gap. Some of their services include

• Free Transportation 

• 1:10 Teacher-to-Student Ratio

• Social-Emotional Learning 

• Homework Help 

• Computer Access

• Hot & Healthy Meals 

• And Many More! 

Here is a quote from their website discussing their initiative, “Each day at KIND offers something new and exciting. Whether it's help with academic classes, a chance to be creative in art, serving the community, or adding to their life skills, our kids are always learning… Our programs focus on the whole child - mind, body, and soul - and your donations remove the potential barriers of price, transportation, and food, making that support accessible to every child”.

To learn more visit

https://www.kinddayton.org