Aspire: Tutoring and Peer Mentoring

Program

WHAT IS ASPIRE?

HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP AND IMPROVE THEIR ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SKILLS

ASPIREOne-on-one after school tutoring and peer mentoring program

Under-serviced Mississauga neighbourhoods

Kindergarten to Grade 6

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

To improve students’ grades and learning

To foster positive attitudes towards education and the community

To bring children, youth, and families together

CREATING YOUTH LEADERS

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS:

•Community Service Hours•Work experience•A reference•Giving back to the community

WHY ASPIRE?A Place-Based Program

EDUCATION AND CRIME

Poor School performance is a risk factor for involvement with crime

Educational experience has both significant direct and indirect effects on criminality

A PLACE-BASED PROGRAM

We bring Aspire to the community

All-inclusive program

Ensure accessibility to all children and youth

HOW DOES ASPIRE HELP COMMUNITIES?

BENEFITS OF A COLLABORATIVE MODEL

WORKING TOGETHER

HELPING THROUGH:

•Collaborative

Committees

•Community referrals

•True partnerships

Outcomes Measured Indicators Methods

Improvement in school grades and skill development

Improvement in family relationships  Improvement in self-confidence

• Parent reporting• Tutor reporting• Skill development

assessments

• More time spent with children when homework is finished

 • Parent reporting• Tutor reporting

• Surveys• Tutor logs• Student agenda’s• Report cards

• Surveys

• Surveys

Ongoing evaluation is key to success

METHODOLOGY

RESULTS AND OUTCOMESTHE IMPORTANCE OF EVALUATIONS

ASPIRE

Improvement in: •School grades•Academic skill development•Family relationships

Enhanced:•Self-confidence•Social skills

ASPIRE

“The trip to the Ontario Science Centre made the summer for my three children who never get to go on any outstanding trips all summer” – Aspire Parent

“When I first started doing Aspire in grade 9, I had no idea how this would change me as a person. I helped my students do better at school and in return, they helped me become responsible, compassionate and improve my communication.” – Aspire Tutor

Writing Skills Oral Communication

Junior and Senior Kindergarten

0.750000000000003 1

Grades 1 -6 0.690000000000004 0.770000000000001

5%

25%

45%

65%

85%

2012 RESULTS

Perc

enta

ge

HOW ARE THE KIDS DOING?

ASPIRE

IS CRIME GOING DOWN?

2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

50

100

150

200

250

Year To

tal

Nu

mb

er

of

Re

po

rte

d C

rim

es YES!

KEY LEARNINGS FROM PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

UNEXPECTED OUTCOMES

HELPING FAMILIES IN A MEANINGFUL

WAY Creating healthy communities and

increasing cultural sensitivity Advocacy on behalf of parents/Navigating

the School System ESL Student support Newcomers and French immersion

programs

ASPIRE NEXT STEPS

Expansion to additional site locations

Third-party evaluation

Parenting workshops