Student Voice Will be Focus in Clark County Study

In the press release below, the Greater Clark Foundation announces support for a new Student Voice effort:

WINCHESTER, Ky., (April 28, 2014) — How engaged are Campbell Junior High students in creating the environment they want at their new school, and how much of a voice do they have in school decision making? The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence will use a $10,000 Ambition Grant from The Greater ClarkFoundation to find out.

The Student Voice Team ofthe Prichard Committee works to elevate the voices of Kentucky youth on the classroom impact of education issues and to support students as policy partners in improving Kentucky schools. The audit at Campbell will help test key theories about how to support students as partners in making schools better.

“We’ll gather quantitative and detailed qualitative information for parents, teachers, administrators and the broader community about what Campbell students are experiencing currently, and their potential for contributing in the future,” said Rachel Belin, Director of the Prichard Committee Student Voice Team. The audit will include meetings with faculty, administrators and students; a student opinion poll and roundtable discussions. The audit will be conducted during May and June, with the final report due this summer.

“Campbell welcomes the opportunity to work with the Prichard Committee to magnify student input so we can improve our school,” said Principal Dustin Howard. “We want our students to know we value their opinions and ideas, and we understand that giving them a say in how the school runs helps improve their own opportunities for success, both while here and later in life.”

The Greater Clark Foundation’s Ambition Grants provide funding for community-driven projects that can be completed and the results documented within 90 days. The projects must take place within the Foundation’s focus area of greater Clark County and relate to one of the Foundation’s three focus areas:

·       Civic and economic vitality;

·       Educational attainment;

·       Health, well-being and quality of life.

Nonprofits, religious institutions or local government entities in the Foundation’s service area are eligible to apply for the grants and can also serve as fiscal agents for other applicants as long as the purpose is charitable; however, project benefits must extend beyond the organization’s own constituents. These quick-turnaround projects empower average people to think and act in extraordinary ways while realizing that their personal ambitions might be shared by others in the community who can work together. Through distribution of small grants, the Foundation encourages an engaged population and a culture of “bright spots” in Clark County.

Application information can be found at www.ClarkAmbition.org/community-investment/ambition-grants/.  The application process is simple and quick – applicants should submit up to three pages in a letter explaining what they want to see happen and why it is important. The applicant must be clear about the demonstrated community benefits and results, the requested amount, a project budget, the time frame and any partnerships. Applications may be submitted electronically, mailed or hand-delivered to the Foundation. Applicants will receive a response within 30 days.

About The Greater Clark Foundation

The Greater Clark Foundation is about Ambition for a Vibrant Community. A health legacy foundation, its mission is to make the Greater Clark County area of Kentucky one of the best places in the country to live, work and play. Based in Winchester, the Foundation focuses its investments on civic and economic vitality; educational attainment; and health, well-being and quality of life. For more information, visit us on Facebook, or at www.ClarkAmbition.org, or call 859-355-9054.