Springboard for Seminole Ridge HS

As you are likely aware, education funding for our state has been drastically cut over the past decade, while educational standards and test score requirements have risen. The new high-stakes testing requirements for high school graduation and college entrance will not only impact our schools, students, and teachers—it will also have a profound effect on whether our schools have the necessary resources to turn out the well-educated and prepared work force needed to meet the needs of Florida’s various growing industries.

The faculty and administration at Seminole Ridge Community High School are dedicated to offering the best possible education to our students. This education needs to also be equitable—not solely offered to those in advanced and academy courses—something that can help our lowest achieving students become college and career ready. With this goal in mind, the English department wishes to purchase the SpringBoard program, developed by the College Board, for its ninth and tenth grade students. SpringBoard has been proven to have a significant impact on student achievement in reading and to engage students in the learning process. This research-based long term skill and knowledge development program is designed for all students. Scaffolding is provided to help every student succeed at a college ready level. As published by Haifa Matos-Elefonte, The College Board, & Jun Li, Fordham University, the following results were found over a four year period:

•     Over a four-year period, the high schools that purchased SpringBoard for 3 to 5 years had substantially more students taking AP and also had more students scoring higher than students in high schools that purchased SpringBoard for 1 to 2 years and the state overall.

•     Over the same four-year period, high schools that purchased SpringBoard had a 109% and 52% gain in the number of black and Hispanic students, respectively, taking AP. Students from high schools not purchasing SpringBoard had a 37% gain each for black and Hispanic students taking AP.

•     Over the same four‐year period, high schools that purchased SpringBoard had a 34% and 30% gain in the number of black and Hispanic students, respectively, scoring a 3 in at least one AP exam. Students from high schools not purchasing SpringBoard had a 27% and 26% gain for black and Hispanic students, respectively, scoring a 3 in at least one AP exam.

SpringBoard will help our school enable all students to be college ready, close the achievement gap, improve instructional practice, and increase enrollment in challenging advanced level courses. However, in order for us to offer this program for our students, our school needs to raise $25,000 to purchase the consumable textbooks and we are asking for help from the business community.

Would you please help us reach our goal by sending a donation?  We are aware that times are tough and the economy is still unsteady—but any contribution will be greatly appreciated and bring us closer to our goal. Your gift will be tax deductible and all funds will go to the purchase of the SpringBoard program. Additionally, the school will provide an 8x8 banner for any company that donates $500 or more which will be displayed at the front of the school through August 2013.