In its first year, the Newark Trust for Education (newarktrust.org) has raised more than $2 million for Newark Public Schools and implemented four major initiatives, directly impacting 24 Newark schools, more than 300 principals and teachers and more than 6,400 students.
The Trust enters 2012 as an established, independent, and strategic partner in the citywide effort to ensure a quality public education for all Newark’s children, said Ross Danis, the Trust’s executive director.
“The past year been a remarkable year for education reform in Newark,” Danis said. “Helping to ensure a quality public education for all children is why we exist, why we will continue to expand, strengthen our capacity to create and manage change, and lock arms with our partners as we step forward together in 2012.”
The Trust launched one year ago as the city’s Local Education Fund (LEF); the only permanent fund for public education in Newark. Under the umbrella of the Public Education Network, LEFs work toward accountability and achievement of high standards by all involved with public education. Virtually every major U.S. city that has made significant improvements in closing the achievement gap has a strong LEF working in partnership with the school district.
City and state education leaders said the Trust is playing a significant role in helping to prioritize reform efforts within Newark Public Schools.
“Change of the magnitude necessary to create the schools all children deserve just doesn’t happen,” said acting state Education Commissioner Chris Cerf. “Success will require the kinds of coordinated partnerships we see developing in Newark between the Newark Public Schools and the Newark Trust for Education.”
“The Newark Trust has not only helped coordinate and focus resources in support of district goals, they just ‘get it’ when it comes understanding what it’s going to take have all our children on track for success in college or a career,” said Newark Schools Superintendent Cami Anderson.
One of the most significant initiatives of the Trust has been the formation of the “Funders’ Collaborative” in partnership with the Newark Funders Group, an affiliate of the Education Subcommittee of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers.
The Funders’ Collaborative is unprecedented. For the first time in recent history, nine philanthropic organizations are working together to support innovative model schools operated by the Newark Public Schools. The Trust is managing a $1.1 million Innovative Schools Investment Fund on behalf of the funders.
“The pooled source of funds committed by various members of the philanthropic community has been absolutely invaluable to not only YouthBuild Newark’s efforts to serve the educational needs of at-risk youth and young adults, but the City of Newark’s overall efforts to better serve its youth,” said Robert Clark, executive director of YouthBuild Newark, which in September opened the Newark Leadership Academy, one of the innovative schools.
“The successful start-up and implementation of the Newark Leadership Academy could not have been realized without the tremendous support from the pooled resources,” Clark said.
Bard Early College High School received $65,000 from the fund. Martha Olson, the school’s dean of administration, said the grant is being used to support the school’s admissions process and college curricular standards and strengthen the staff.
“The creation of the pooled funds has allowed school administrators to focus on running the school, rather than writing grant proposals for different foundations,” Olson said. “The fund demonstrates the philanthropic community’s intent to work with the new schools in Newark to help them be as successful as possible.”
Another major Trust initiative is the Shared Campus Grant program that is providing $350,000 to 19 public schools sharing nine campuses in the city.
The grants will be used to promote and foster community building activities in professional and leadership development, parent and family engagement, and other opportunities to build strong relationships across campuses.
The goal of the shared campus grants program is for the school community to better learn to collaborate, share best practices and provide a positive learning environment for all students, Danis said.
The Excellence Network, another successful program implemented in the past year, brings together teachers, principals, board members and community members to tour innovative schools and figure out ways to improve instructional content citywide.
The Trust has also been working on an online tool to be launched later this year. The “NET Navigator” aims to quantify how all the recent philanthropic donations are affecting student achievement. The navigator will show what programs and initiatives are operating, how much is invested in each and the impact toward creating lasting change.
“As a historian who looks back to look ahead, it is no surprise to recognize the impact and potential impact of the Newark Trust for Education,” Trust Board Chair Clement A. Price said. “The organization may have been new a year ago, but the board, staff, its supporters and collaborators are all experienced, Newark focused, committed professionals. Together with our growing list of partners and collaborators, we can look forward to providing all our children with the education they deserve."
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