Operation Xcel
“Promoting Excellent Communities Education & Leadership”
Mission
• Operation Xcel is a 501(C) (3) entity
that engages students, parents and the
community to increase educational,
social and career skills through
academic enrichment, parenting and
advocacy, and empowerment
workshops. We also provide access and
tools to technology literacy.
How do we achieve the outcome
• Operation Homework – daily afterschool homework
assistance, tutoring and enrichment
• Saturday Academy – monthly academic, social skills
and emotional enrichment
• 3-Steps Ahead – summer enrichment camp
• Communities First Classes – weekly 2 hour training
sessions for parents. Series offered
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Basic computer skills
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Microsoft office applications
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Financial Literacy
• Millionaires in Training – Entrepreneurial Training
Operation Homework
• Operation Homework seeks to
transform the lives of underserved
populations by empowering individuals
and families with life skills and the
support needed to become responsible
citizens prepared to succeed in higher
education, careers, and service to the
community.
Targets
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Poor study habits
Declining test scores
Lack of desire for learning
Academic and social weaknesses
This initiative promotes knowledge, skills, and
understanding through enriching learning
opportunities that complement the school
day.
Services Provided:
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Homework completion
Standardized test preparation
Study habits training
College entrance assistance
Research assistance
Individualized academic counseling
Enrichment activities
Beauty on the Inside & Outside
Student Demographics
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Poor Grades: 60%
PEP 75%
IEP 25%
School suspensions 52%
Low sense of belonging:
14%
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Dropout in family 25%
Single or grand 39%
Parents w/ addiction 11%
Low Income 54%%
Learning Disabled 29%
Other Data Collected at Enrollment
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60% poor grades
29% learning disabled
25% have IEP, 75% have PEP
25% have a dropout in family
< 1% have parents that completed college
52% school suspensions
39% live with a single parent or grandparent
54% income below 200% of poverty level
Research Based
•Students perform better
academically when social
and emotional areas are
addressed as well
• Research also shows that
if caring, concerned adults are available to
young people, youth will be more likely to
become successful adults themselves
Operation Homework Success
• 63% improved level in Reading as
measured by EOG scale scores
• 56% improved level Math as measured
by EOG scale scores
• Volunteer Hours increased yr over yr
– 300 in 07/08
– 700+ in 09/10
– 1000+ in 10/11
Saturday Academy Success
We were able to give 50+ youth the opportunity to
experience such things as the:
• Bodies Revealed Exhibit at the Natural Center
• Future Cents: The Reality Store at the Public
Library supporting financial literacy;
• EOG (End-of- Grade) test boot camp,
• Etiquette Training and lunch at Fleming’s and
many more.
Community First Training
• 75% of enrollees lacked basic knowledge of
word processing, accessing and conducting
research on the internet, and using email as
measured by assessments
• 89% of students shifted to Good, Very Good
or Exceptional in the above mentioned areas
as measured by assessments administered
by instructors
3 Steps Ahead Summer Camp
• 30% of students improved in reading by
an entire year of instructional level. All
remaining students improved by at least
10%.
• In math, average improvement is 18%.
• For 2011, we added a Summer Foods
Component (USDA program) serving
35+ students 1662 meals.
CHALLENGES
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Communication
Attendance
Parent Engagement
Transportation/ Location
Overall Key Accomplishments 2007-2011
• Improved suspension rates by of students served
• Math EOG 75% passed on 1st attempt, 85% passed or
increased level on 2nd attempt
• Reading EOG 55% passed on 1st attempt, 80% passed or
increased level on 2nd attempt
• Higher level EOC: 80% passed on 1st attempt
• Expanded computer lab by increasing operational hours
• Increased # students enrolled in higher level courses 17.6%
• 98% of Seniors graduate (1 GED)
• 4000+ Volunteer Hours college students and community
• Clients/Students gave 1000+ volunteer hours