Mattie C Stewart Foundation

PRODUCE TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO ADDRESS DROPOUT RATES IN SCHOOLS.

THE CHOICE BUS, LAUNCHED IN LATE 2008, HAS CONTINUED TO FORGE TREMENDOUS SUCCESS IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTHEAST, MID-WESTERN, AND EASTERN STATES OF THE COUNTRY. THE DEMAND FOR THE CHOICE HAS INCREASED FROM SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE U.S. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE FOUR CHOICE BUSES. THIS EXPERIENCED BASED LEARNING TOOL TRAVELS TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE A HANDS ON EXPERIENCE OF THE BENEFITS OF AN EDUCATION, BUT ALSO THE LIKELY CONSEQUENCES OF CHOOSING TO DROP OUT. THE CHOICE BUS HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY MORE THAN 2 MILLION STUDENTS IN 26 STATES.

THE MATTIE C. STEWART FOUNDATION ACCOMPLISHED MUCH IN 2022 IN ITS MISSION TO REDUCE THE DROPOUT RATE AND INCREASE THE GRADUATION RATE IN AMERICA. THE INSIDEOUT TOOLKIT THAT INCLUDES A SELF-PRODUCED DOCUMENTARY PORTRAYING THE STARK CONSEQUENCES OF NOT STAYING IN SCHOOL ALONG WITH A COMPANION TEACHER GUIDE CONTINUED TO GAIN TRACTION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. CURRENTLY IT IS BEING USED IN CLASSROOMS, CHURCHES, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN 49 STATES AND PARTS OF CANADA. THE MATTIE C. STEWART FOUNDATION ESTIMATES THE INSIDEOUT DOCUMENTARY HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY MORE THAN 15 MILLION PEOPLE SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN LATE 2007; AND THE RESPONSE FROM EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS CONTINUES TO BE OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE. ALTHOUGH INSIDEOUT IMPACT WAS SUCCESSFUL, IT STILL HAS ONLY REACHED A FRACTION OF ITS TARGET AUDIENCE AND THEREFORE REMAINS A RELATIVELY YOUNG TOOL IN THE MATTIE C. STEWART FOUNDATION TOOLBOX.

LEARN2EARN IS A FINANCIAL LITERACY BOOKLET THAT WAS CREATED TO EDUCATE STUDENTS IN GRADES 7 THROUGH 12 ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FINANCIAL LITERACY, SAVINGS AND STAYING IN SCHOOL. LEARN2EARN CONTAINS LESSON PLANS DESIGNED TO PRESENT FINANCIAL EDUCATION MATERIAL IN A STRAIGHTFORWARD, EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND WAY. THE MORE STUDENTS HEAR AND READ FACTS ABOUT PERSONAL FINANCE AND THE ADVANTAGE GAINED BY ATTENDING COLLEGE AND PREPARING FOR A CAREER, THE MORE THEY WILL BE PREPARED TO FACE THE CHALLENGING ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT. LEARN2EARN IS ADAPTABLE AND CAN BE USED IN A CLASSROOM, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, AND CLUB OR CAMP SETTING. IT IS INTENDED TO BE A DISCUSSION STIMULATOR FOR TEACHERS, MENTORS, AND FAMILIES TO INCORPORATE INTO THEIR EXISTING SCHEDULES. ITS QUESTION/ANSWER FORMAT REQUIRES MINIMAL PLANNING OR PREPARATION ON THEIR PART.