Independent research, funded by Atlantic Philanthropies, demonstrates that Communities In Schools, Inc., is one of a very few organizations proven to keep kids in school and the only one to document that it increases graduation rates. The same study also shows that a higher percentage of students served by CIS have higher 4th and 8th grade reading and math scores.
An independent non-profit entity, associated with by distinct from The Kalamazoo Promise® and Kalamazoo Public Schools, Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo fully adopted the CIS Model of Integrated Student Services in 2010. CIS is a critical component of the "cradel to career" infrastructure that is required to assure that children with significant socio-economic disadvantage receive the necessary continuum of support to become self-sufficient, contributing young adults.
KPS reports rising scores in math, reading, and writing in elementary and middle schools. Based on two years of CIS service data, for students receiving the targeted services of a regular after school program, results in reading, math, attendance, and behavior are very encouraging, particularly for those who have participated for two years:
- Elementary Level
- 87% improved their school-day attendance;
- 82% improved their behavior at school;
- 44% improved in reading; and
- 31% improved in math. (Note: almost 100 students served in the elementary after school programs are 2nd graders or younger and no standardized measure is available to track math improvements yet.)
- Secondary Level
- 100% improved in attendance;
- 75% improved in behavior;
- 72% improved in reading; and
- 63% improved in math.