Abstract:

In the State of Florida, the plight and conditions of economically disadvantaged African-Americans have been and continue to be defined by student performance on the Florida State Assessment (FSA) and other state statistics including graduation rate, employment data and health and crime indicators. National research suggests that juvenile crime, including violent offenses, peaks between 3:00pm and 6:00pm, right after the close of school. Statistics as early as the beginning 1990s indicate that sixty-one percent (61%) of all juveniles arrested for homicide were African-American. Social problems such as the breakdown of family, poverty and poor education are causal factors. In addition to social issues faced by African-American youth, the Florida Department of Health also notes an increase in the percent of children diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and those suffering from childhood obesity. FAMU SMART Academies (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Science Mathematics Arts Reading and Technology Academies) 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) was strategically designed to provide alternative opportunities that engage students and provide a safe environment during the hours noted as prime hours for criminal activity. In order to reverse a devastating future of these youth and the community at large, efforts focus on promoting a more promising lifestyle for the children and their families

FAMU SMART Academies operates as a School-Within-A-School, after school program. Commensurate with federal and state education mandates, FAMU SMART Academies embraces the opportunity to positively influence student performance through the implementation of innovational educational practices. Select academic disciplines are offered in after school and summer programs for students enrolled in grades K-12 at Developmental Research School (DRS). FAMU SMART Academies feature five academies in the areas of Science, Mathematics, the Arts, Reading and Technology. The academies provide opportunities that address the academic needs of students through project-based learning activities, homework assistance, tutoring, field experiences, career exploration, service learning, character education, physical education, recreational activities, and dropout prevention. All instructions are delivered through curricular materials that are research-proven. Academies offer parent involvement opportunities to facilitate character development and encourage family literacy. The program is designed to support DRS academic structure; enhance students’ performance on the Florida State Assessment (FSA); increase the number of students graduating from high school; improve the academic performance of at-risk students; and facilitate at-risk students’ admission to college. The program affords a multitude of rich, relevant, and applicable experiences aligned with the FSA, designed to enrich students’ academic and personal growth in a safe, and nurturing environment.

An outcome of the program evaluation documented the fact that FAMU SMART Academies participants experienced an increase in academic performance reflected in their regular school day grades, standardized assessments (FSA), and daily attendance. Additionally, participants demonstrated a more positive and engaging attitude towards learning. All of these factors coupled with others contributed to an improvement in the overall DRS school grade.

Keywords:

Education, Student, Performance, African-American, Academic, Achievement, Innovation, Impact.