#United States #Birmingham #AIR #Birmingham Promise #Education Pathways

Birmingham Promise Forms Strategic Partnership with AIR to Enhance Student Success

The Birmingham Promise and the American Institutes for Research (AIR) have announced an innovative partnership designed to amplify the use of student data in facilitating educational pathways for youth in Birmingham. This collaboration aims to improve how data informs students' transitions from high school to higher education and career opportunities.

Background of Birmingham Promise

Founded under the vision of Mayor Randall Woodfin, Birmingham Promise was created to support students in the Birmingham City Schools system by offering paid internships, full-tuition scholarships for college, and personalized career coaching. Since its initiation in 2020, Birmingham Promise has reached thousands of students, making a significant impact on their college readiness and workforce entry.

Partnership Goals

The partnership, backed by the AIR Opportunity Fund, seeks to enhance practical improvements by making student data more accessible and actionable for educators and administrators. This initiative will focus on five core areas:
1. Enhancing Tracking Systems: Improving the methods by which participation, experiences, and outcomes of students are monitored over time.
2. Data-Driven Decision Making: Equipping staff with more confidence in utilizing data for everyday planning and decisions.
3. Research on Readiness and Success: Establishing a research agenda that addresses college and career readiness as well as overall student success.
4. Collaboration Enhancement: Exploring ways to bolster collaboration within Birmingham's cradle-to-career network.
5. Support Structures Investigation: Strengthening the foundations for identifying and implementing supports that enable young individuals to thrive in educational settings, as well as in their careers.

Empowering Local Expertise

Samantha Williams, CEO of Birmingham Promise, expressed the significance of the partnership, stating, "This collaboration will elevate our data and impact to unprecedented levels. While our initiatives already assist students in overcoming barriers to college, our ultimate goal is their successful entry into the workforce, earning wages that allow them to thrive." AIR is expected to provide essential insights that will guide the improvement of Birmingham Promise's programs.

Birmingham's Mayor Woodfin expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, noting its potential to actualize his initial vision for the Birmingham Promise initiative. He stated, "This expansion showcases our progress, allowing us to maximize our impact on the community."

Data Meets Community Needs

Terris Ross, managing director of the AIR Opportunity Fund, emphasized the importance of harnessing community knowledge to improve data usage. He remarked, “This partnership is about empowering those who know their community best to better utilize the information they already possess. Merging Birmingham Promise’s insights about local youth with AIR’s research expertise will transform data into clearer outcomes and informed decisions.

Representatives of both organizations convened on September 14 to start outlining the research agenda, focusing on identifying pressing questions and how current data could support their objectives.

A Broader Vision

This engagement is an initial step towards a more extensive effort to enhance learning and collaboration throughout Birmingham's educational ecosystem. The overarching aim is to help local organizations leverage evidence more effectively, learn from successful practices, and make informed decisions that bolster support for youth.

About Birmingham Promise

Birmingham Promise is dedicated to preparing students in the city's schools for their future careers and higher education opportunities through various inclusive initiatives. For more information, visit Birmingham Promise.

About the American Institutes for Research

Established in 1946, AIR is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that specializes in behavioral and social science research. It delivers technical assistance focused on education, health, and workforce development both domestically and internationally. More details can be found at AIR.

About the AIR Opportunity Fund

The AIR Opportunity Fund is focused on supporting research and community-driven projects aimed at improving education, workforce opportunities, and health outcomes. It strives to synergize community insights with research to create effective solutions. Learn more at AIR Opportunity Fund.