Transforming Futures: Math, Mind, & Literacy

K-12 STEAM education

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

The need for innovative solutions in education, particularly in math and literacy, is more pressing than ever in underserved communities. Our initiative, "Transforming Futures: Math, Mind, and Literacy," directly addresses systemic barriers that often hinder the educational progress of underserved youth. Significant disparities exist in literacy and math proficiency among underserved students, with data showing that only 18% of Black and 23% of Hispanic fourth graders are proficient in reading, compared to 45% of White peers. In math, just 19% of Black and 26% of Hispanic students reach proficiency levels, starkly lower than the 50% proficiency seen among White fourth graders. These educational gaps are further exacerbated for students in high-poverty schools and among foster youth, who face additional challenges and have lower performance and higher dropout rates.
BMC shows boosting math skills enhances all other academic abilities.Our approach uniquely supports and uplifts students.

"Transforming Futures: Math, Mind, and Literacy" initiative, designed to address the educational disparities in literacy and math proficiency among underserved students. This comprehensive program will include:
1. BMC Math App Development: Funding will be used to create the initial design and prototype of the BMC Math App, an innovative digital tool aimed at enhancing math learning through interactive content and real-time feedback. 2. Enrichment/Tutoring Program: This program will establish a targeted enrichment and tutoring initiative at an elementary school in Watts. It will offer supplemental math instruction and support to students, employing proven strategies to boost math skills. The program aims to provide direct tutoring and enrichment activities, utilizing both in-person and virtual formats to maximize reach and impact. Additionally, the 'Literacy for Life' curriculum will be integrated, aiming to enhance reading skills alongside emotional and psychological support. 3. Group Counseling: In partnership with Present Mind Counseling and Coaching (PMCC), this component will introduce a six-month group counseling program focused on mental wellness, crucial for academic success. This dual approach addresses both the academic and socio-emotional barriers to learning that many underserved students face.
"Transforming Futures" aims to empower students in Watts to overcome systemic educational barriers and achieve their full potential.

“Transforming Futures: Math, Mind, & Literacy" achieves its goals, Los Angeles County will see a marked improvement in the educational outcomes of its underserved communities, particularly in Watts. By integrating innovative digital tools like the BMC Math App with direct tutoring and mental wellness support, the initiative promises to enhance math and literacy skills while addressing emotional and psychological needs. This holistic approach will reduce educational disparities, enabling students to perform better academically and become more resilient. As students thrive, the broader community will benefit from a generation better equipped to pursue higher education and meaningful careers. Success with this initiative will serve as a model for other regions, showing how technology and comprehensive support can effectively address systemic barriers in education. Once successful we will grow this program to middle and high school students.

BMC improves its strategies by analyzing data from diverse sources. This involves monitoring academic performance, BMC Math App usage, mental wellness, and receiving feedback from all stakeholders. Data-driven adjustments are core to BMC’s methodology, ensuring that interventions are both effective and responsive to students’ needs.
Success for BMC's initiative is gauged through a blend of quantitative & qualitative metrics. Academic enhancements are tracked via increased math and literacy scores from standardized tests and surveys. The BMC Math App provides insights into user engagement and session data, alongside feedback surveys which help gauge the application's impact and usability.
Mental wellness will be assessed through evaluations conducted by PMCC, focusing on the psychological well-being of participants. Surveys and interviews with students, parents, teachers, and counselors will offer a broad perspective of program's effectiveness and its influence in Watts & beyond.

Present Mind Counseling and Coaching (PMCC) is integral to the "Transforming Futures: Math, Mind, and Literacy" initiative, providing group counseling to support student mental wellness. Their role includes:
Mental Health Support: Delivering sessions to address emotional and psychological needs, enhancing students' ability to engage academically.
Integration with Education: Ensuring that mental health support complements academic goals, addressing psychological barriers to learning.
Professional Expertise: Offering evidence-based mental health strategies tailored for underserved youth.
Evaluation and Feedback: Contributing to program evaluations to refine and optimize counseling services.