why are we needed?
Numerous studies of the US educational system have identified many school-related factors that impede learning. Among the issues mentioned are funding shortfalls, large pupil to teacher ratios, weak and insufficient curricular materials, inadequate teacher training and insufficient accountability. Interventions suggested to overcome these impediments include increases in funding from both state and federal sources, additional new teacher training, professional development for current teachers, improved curricular materials, standardized testing, grades for schools and the use of vouchers or tuition tax credits to give parents more choice in selecting a suitable school for their children. While many of these initiatives have been or are being implemented, student success as measured by achievement on standardized tests, is still well below desired levels, especially in urban school districts.
From birth to graduation from high school, children typically spend approximately 10% of their time in school and about 90% of their time elsewhere. It seems apparent that “elsewhere” is increasingly not the most conducive environment for learning. Empirical observations and some studies indicate that most children who fail to succeed in school have a deficit in school readiness and in their individual learning environment outside of school. The Legacy Center for Student Success will engage in and support research aimed at identifying and understanding these readiness and environmental factors that impede learning, then to design, develop, provide and implement interventions to overcome them.