* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Clarke
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Support for Baltimore City Experience Corps
FOR the purpose of requesting Experience Corps funding in the 2008-09 City Budget so as to sustain this intergenerational academic program in the 20 BCPSS elementary schools it serves so effectively.
Body
WHEREAS, A program originated and launched in Baltimore City, Experience Corps pays stipends to 350 senior adults of limited income and unlimited dedication to serve as classroom assistants in grades 1-to-3 in 20 elementary schools within the Baltimore City Public School System; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to Baltimore City supplementary appropriations of $250,000 in the past three years, the program has expanded from six to 20 schools within the past two years; and
WHEREAS, Experience Corps volunteers work closely with students, at the classroom teacher's direction, providing individual help for children who are either "behind" or "ahead" of their peers or just in need of the special attention which might otherwise distract from an entire class session; and
WHEREAS, Rigorous evaluations of the program show that having Experience Corps in a school raises the percentage of students achieving advanced and proficient standing on the MSA tests; and
WHEREAS, In six new schools where behavior indicators were tracked, rigorous evaluations demonstrate that Experience Corps decreases the number of principal office referrals by roughly half in a two year period; and,
WHEREAS, In funding Experience Corps, the City of Baltimore has served as a partner with BCPSS and multiple other public and private funding sources and has benefitted from rigorous evaluations of the success of the program in improving the learning environment of the classroom and the academic achievements of the students.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Baltimore City Council requests the inclusion of Experience Corps funding in the Board of Estimates' fiscal year 2009 City Budget so as to continue the City's sound investment in a program which has proved its worth and relies on the City's partnership investment for its survival and growth.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System, to the Executive Director of the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education, to all members of the Board of Estimates, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr08-0139~intro/20Feb08
ccres/Experisan:MPC
dlr08-0139~intro/20Feb08
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ccres/Experisan:MPC