MBRT 2010 Mid-Year Report

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Maryland Business Roundtable for Education

Mid-year Report 2010

2010 turning into a breakthrough year for MBRT

  • Greater impact on more students

  • Stronger support and partnerships

  • New exciting opportunities

More seniors graduating college/career-ready

  • 18% increase in Maryland Scholars completers – 29,500 in 2009 (51% of grads)
    2011 Goal:  67% of grads will be Maryland Scholars        (data on class of 2010 being collected)

More students taking actions to prepare for college/careers

  • 220,000 students are working online at www.BeWhatIWantToBe.com to strengthen their chances of success in high school, college and beyond.
  • 37,500 7th/8th/9th grade students in 15 districts received in-classroom presentations from hundreds business volunteers – 83% of students declare intention to complete Maryland Scholars course of study.
  • Many school districts are experiencing significant increases in the numbers of students completing Algebra 2, a 4th math, and a 4th science.
  • Maryland leads the nation in the percentage of students taking Advanced Placement courses and passing the requisite exams.

Opportunities and strong partners support MBRT mission
Maryland selected as finalist in Race To The Top

Maryland State Department of Education applied for a $250 million Race To The Top grant to support Maryland’s third wave of education reform with internationally benchmarked standards to ensure that all students graduate college/career ready.  MSDE included MBRT as a partner in its proposal.  The U.S. Department of Education announced Maryland as one of 19 finalists on July 27.  After state team interviews in August, awardees will be announced in September.

Working directly with teachers to strengthen STEM teaching and learning

AT&T and Citi provided grants to MBRT to develop STEM Teachers Count — the first hub of Maryland’s STEM Innovation Network, a recommendation of the Governor’s STEM Task Force.  Focus groups with 30 science, math and technology teachers and a survey of 300+ teachers were conducted to determine how STEM teaching and learning can be strengthened and to identify the best ways business can support teachers’ efforts and instruction.  The results were compelling.  A report is being produced for wide distribution, and plans are underway to follow-up on teacher recommendations.

Engaging young people in “green” careers

Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board tapped MBRT to conduct a youth outreach campaign on careers in green and energy efficiency industries.  The purpose is to engage, inform and recruit the emerging workforce into green training programs and careers.

Helping low-income students aspire to and prepare for college

Maryland Higher Education Commission included MBRT in its proposal to the U.S. Department of Education to conduct a five-year project focused on helping low-income 8th grade students in six school districts, and those who influence them, to raise their expectations/intentions to attend college and to ensure their ability to qualify and succeed.  The goal is to produce substantive changes in academic expectations and achievement for participating students.

Transforming technology to increase effectiveness and efficiency

Northrop Grumman and IBM lead corporate charge to develop technology solutions that will transform MBRT’s ability to engage students, manage volunteers, convene partners, communicate with stakeholders, and collect/analyze data.  Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Cisco, UMBC are also making significant contributions to the effort.

Award-winning magazine for teens hits classrooms again this fall

The Daily Record, in partnership with MBRT, produces and prints – for the 7th straight year –Be What I Want To Be magazine for distribution to 100,000 students.  The 2009 Be What I Want To Be magazine won “BEST IN SHOW” award from Maryland/Delaware/DC Press Association.  Advertisers make it possible to provide the magazine at no charge to MBRT, schools, or students:  Northrop Grumman, Bowie State University, Stevenson University, Lockheed Martin, College of Notre Dame, Morgan State University, Capitol College, Citifinancial, Community College of Baltimore County, CCBC Time Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine, AAI Corporation, McCormick & Co., University of Baltimore, APG Federal Credit Union, UMBC, Salisbury University, Corporate Office Properties Trust, T.Rowe Price, Baltimore County Economic Development Corporation, Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center

Using individual student course completion data to guide student action

Citi Foundation provided a grant to MBRT to conduct an initiative in three Baltimore City high schools – Using Data to Increase College Readiness.  MBRT will work with administrators and counselors to encourage and guide sophomores and juniors to complete Maryland Scholars courses.  Individual student course completion data will be used to:  1) target students who need support, 2) direct intervention strategies, and 3) track student progress.  The model was developed in the GEAR-UP partnership with MSDE., where juniors — responding to data/advice — selected more rigorous courses.

More employers join the MBRT team

New members join MBRT:  American Trading & Production Corporation, Apple, Hewlett Packard, Lord Baltimore Capital Corporation, PNC Bank.  Welcome!
MBRT executive director recognized as influential leader

June Streckfus, MBRT Executive Director, was named as an Influential Marylander by The Daily Record in May 2010.

How you can help:

JOIN MBRT         VOLUNTEER FOR THE SPEAKERS BUREAU         PARTNER ON GRANTS

Go to:  54.236.34.138 or call 410-788-0333

Maryland Business Roundtable for Education – 5520 Research Park Drive, Suite 150 – Baltimore, MD  21228 – 410-788-0333

(published JUNE 2010)

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