Impact Update Will Inform Next Steps

More than 100 local educators and community members took part in the M3 Two-Year Impact Update held at MATC on January 9, 2019. MATC President Vicki Martin, UWM Chancellor Mark Mone, and MPS Superintendent Keith P. Posley shared a progress report, discussed the direction of M3, and invited attendees to share thoughts that would help shape upcoming goals.

Comments from participants have been grouped into five main themes that will serve as focus areas as the initiative moves forward. Find out more about areas that participants identified as critical topics demanding attention.

Here is what you said: M-cubed needs to keep accountability in the forefront.

In launching M-cubed two years ago, several key metrics were selected to hold the initiative accountable to progress. This included: high school graduation, FAFSA completion, enrollment in a post-secondary institution and one-year retention rates for students enrolling at MATC or UWM. These metrics are a reflection of multiple factors, rather than a direct outcome for an individual strategy. As an example, a metric such as increased high school graduation is impacted by:

  • Improved curriculum alignment, supported by Goal 3’s professional development sessions with English Language Arts (ELA), math and science teams, and
  • Academic and Career Plan (ACP) completion, supported by Goal 1 through providing students with information, experiences and assessments to connect student interest to their learning and future career
  • In combination with student support from educators and the community.

Input from the M-cubed Community Update Event related to this topic included acknowledgement of progress, but focus on progress, and accountability measures are a continued focus.

Here is what you said: Ensure M-cubed checks in with each student “Early and Often” for progress on their individual Academic and Career Plan.

Our teams will continue to build on the Academic and Career Plan (ACP) to connect students to careers, pathways and current and future employment. ACP is utilized as a regular checkpoint, not a one-time event.

When students are in 6th grade, an initial ACP is developed for each student. The ACP is the framework to guide and revise academic course selection, employment and internship opportunities and postsecondary choice, and is updated annually.

In the 9th grade, MPS students explore UWM and a career area aligned with their interest (i.e. Business, Health Care, STEM or Information Technology). They also engage in a panel discussion with current students in order to better understand what to expect in college. In 10th grade, MPS students deepen their understanding of college and careers by visiting MATC classrooms in subjects aligned with their interest. MATC faculty provide hands-on experiences for early engagement to future learning. These and other experiences are tracked and inform next steps.

In 11th and 12th grades, M3 connects students with employment and internships based on their career interest through job fairs. Early engagement with employers also allows students to see what jobs are attainable for them in the future and what education pathways lead to their desired career.

The ACP ultimately provides each student with a career road map that integrats their interests with their academic progress, employment experiences and postsecondary plans.

Here’s what you said: Innovate for Greater Learning

Each month, M-cubed’s cross institution teams meet to assess and improve learning. In addition to the curriculum alignment, the effort includes attention to the academic environment and student learning styles. This includes:

  • Paying greater attention to the social and emotional dimensions of the student experience,
  • Paying greater attention to the school culture and climate,
  • Increasing experiential learning,
  • Supporting a “growth mindset” for all learners, and
  • Demonstrating trust, respect and high expectations for all students.

M-cubed has already demonstrated the ability to quickly implement new programs and will accelerate this effort in the months ahead to improve outcomes.

Here’s what you said: Invest in Students

While most students understand the benefits of education, M-cubed will explore additional short-term incentives to supplement the long-term goals. Incentives can include:

  • Scholarships,
  • Paid internships,
  • Leadership opportunities, and
  • Recognition for academic achievement

M-cubed will seek additional incentives to support students.

Here’s what you said: We are all co-educators and part of the M-cubed family

The M-cubed family is extensive and impacts each child’s educational experience across a timeline that begins in Kindergarten and continues through college. Depending on the career choice, this journey takes between 15-20 years. Over that time, the combined effort of parents, families, educators, counselors, advisors, employers, civic leaders and community partners are needed. M-cubed will continue to build upon the strengths of the M-cubed family, increasing coordination and leveraging our resources to ensure student success.