One Bright Ray Seeks High Ed Partnerships: Data Analysis, School Social Work, Student Support Services

Posted by One Bright Ray on January 21, 2020

Please see the information below from One Bright Ray, an alternative school in Philadelphia, operating out of Strawberry Mansion High School in North Philadelphia. They have several areas of need possibly filled by upper level undergraduates and/or graduate students.  If interested in partnering, contact Rayn Phillips, MSW, at rphillips@onebrightray.org.

One Bright Ray:

One Bright Ray, Inc. (OBR, Inc.) is a non-profit organization that is contracted by the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) to provide school services to credit-deficient students. The Mansion Evening Campus, an OBR Inc. school, is a diploma-granting program designed specifically for adult students who are eager to return to school.

Our program is 18+ with no upper age limit, and our classes are held from Monday to Thursday evenings. We support our students by creating a safe and supportive learning environment. We are guided by an inner sense of responsibility to students, families, the community, and social development on a world scale.

We offer all of the coursework that students may need in order to earn a high school diploma in Philadelphia. Our flexible, evening schedule allows students to schedule themselves for the days and times that are most convenient as they work towards completing their graduation requirements.

The number of credits that a student needs to earn depends on the year they first entered 9^th grade. Students are able to earn up to 4 credits during every 14 week semester.

Areas of Need:

Data Analysis to Support Programming

1. Analyze and prepare reports from course-level, local, and state assessment data as it relates to individual student performance and overall school improvement.
2. Interpret and review assessment data with administrators and teachers to support comprehensive program planning.
3. Analyze and interpret data to reveal information about the school’s educational impact as well as other attributes contributing to student success.
4. Utilize data visualization tools to highlight key metrics.
5. Collaborate with respective team members to coordinate scope and limitations for data analysis and reporting projects.
6. Attend, and lead as appropriate, training sessions and site meetings related to assigned responsibilities.

School Social Work

1. Analyze and prepare reports from enrollment and needs assessment data as it relates to individual student needs and overall school needs.
2. Interpret school and student-level data to determine the most appropriate and necessary interventions for struggling students.
3. Connect the school with local program providers to assist adult students whose academic struggles, truancy, and interpersonal difficulties impact their school progress.
4. Consult with students, teachers, and other support staff to find solutions for struggling students.
5. Taking surveys of community members, analyzing the physical environment, and researching historical trends to act as an advocate for change by assisting the school in finding needed resources, and helping the school implement proposed solutions
6. Attend, and lead as appropriate, training sessions and site meetings related to assigned responsibilities.

Student Support Services

1. Formally assess students’ skills using comprehensive assessments to determine their needs and to develop Education Plans (EPs) for students.
2. Track student progress towards EP goals and monitor their academic performance during their time in the school.
3. Consult with teachers, administrators, and students to update EPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals
4. Collaborate and consult with educational professionals and community service providers (i.e., social services, public health, medical providers etc.) regarding the needs of students.
5. Provide consultation to classroom teachers regarding classroom adaptions, instructional modifications, adaptive equipment, behavior modification plans and other similar instructional interventions to meet the needs of students.
6. Attend, and lead as appropriate, training sessions and site meetings related to assigned responsibilities.