Vermont Youth Conservation Corps receives $50,000 "Catalyst for Change" award

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) has been selected as a recipient of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation s Catalyst for Change awards, which recognize existing examples of personalized, student-centered learning experiences across New England. Twelve schools and education organizations have received a one-time grant of $50,000.
This grant is the single most important step to building a statewide foundation for the VermontFutures program, says VYCC President, Thomas Hark. It is a program which significantly reduces the dropout rate, doubles the credit completion rates, and helps those enrolled to make great strides when taking personal responsibility for their own education.
The selection process has helped us become more aware of efforts already taking place across the region to put students at the center of the educational experience, said Mary Sylvia Harrison, Vice President of Programs for the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. We re pleased to recognize these schools and organizations, and we look forward to further exploring how to build on the momentum for innovation that these models create.
All Catalyst for Change applicants were asked to clearly articulate how they define, implement and/or promote personalized, student-centered learning through their school models, policy change or advocacy efforts. Applicants were also asked to present a clear rationale for their particular approach and provide supporting evidence of the approach s contributions to the improvement of educational outcomes for middle and high school students, especially the underserved. Applicants also had to show that their programs were a core facet of schooling and not a stand-alone program.
The VYCC currently has partnerships with nine schools and two technical centers throughout the state and enrolls approximately 100 students per semester. The VYCC plans to use the awarded funds to develop a critical statewide foundation needed to grow and strengthen the program. Specifically, the award will help the VYCC to grow and support the program s advisory council, to create and implement electronic information systems for collecting and sharing curriculum, to develop training for instructors, and to form a statewide group that will focus on creating additional opportunities and models for work-based learning.
Twelve schools and organizations from across New England were selected to receive Catalyst for Change awards, including: Vermont Rural Partnership (East Hardwick, VT); Boston Arts Academy (Boston, MA); Boston Day & Evening Academy (Boston, MA); The Domus Foundation (Stamford, CT); Jobs for Maine s Graduates (Augusta, ME); Northeast Kingdom Learning Services (Newport, VT); Q.E.D. Foundation (Amherst, NH); Sheepscot Valley Regional School Union # 12 (Wiscasset, ME); Springfield Renaissance School (Springfield, MA); Steps to Success (Brookline, MA); and Young Voices (Providence, RI).
The VYCC is a statewide, year-round, nonprofit conservation and education organization, founded in 1985, with the mission of teaching individuals to take personal responsibility for their actions. We achieve this mission by providing environmental conservation jobs to young people: each year the VYCC enrolls over 350 Corps Members, ages 15 24, to work, live, and study together in small groups. In the VYCC s 24 year history, almost 5,000 youth from throughout the state have benefited from our programs.
Source: Vermont Youth Conservation Corps 2.16.2010