The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is furthering its commitment to improved student outcomes thanks to a three-year, $1 million research grant and part of an inaugural learning cohort model from Communities In Schools (CIS). The CIS research-based initiative centers around supporting nonacademic challenges students face such as poverty, racism, and physical or mental health concerns.
MMSD joins with five other school districts from across the nation to form the CIS learning cohort of licensed partners. Cohort member districts aim to demonstrate how meeting students’ needs on an ongoing basis can improve attendance, high school graduation rates, and economic mobility. MMSD will implement the CIS evidence-based model of Integrated Student Supports in five of its high schools during the first year.
Among the learning cohort, this initiative will provide access and opportunity for more than 20,000 students in the 2023–24 school year alone. In MMSD, a designated staff member at Memorial, West, East, La Follette, and Shabazz high schools will work in conjunction with student services staff to break down barriers that are preventing scholars’ success. This could include providing basic needs, holding a social-emotional learning group for students, meeting with parents about the importance of attendance, and more.
Six districts nationwide were selected to take part in the inaugural CIS learning cohort for licensed partners, funded through a $10 million investment from philanthropic organization The Studio @ Blue Meridian.
