Session 3A:
Achieving Promise Success: Building Ecosystems & Changing Cultures

Time:
10:25 am on Thursday, November 20, 2014

Location:
Omni New Haven Hotel — York

Moderator:
Madeline Vasquez, Program & Planning Manager, Hartford Public Schools

Panelists:
Greg Handel, Senior Director of Education & Talent Programs, Detroit Regional Chamber
Dr. Jennifer Iriti, Research Associate and Co-Director of the Evaluation for Learning Group, University of Pittsburgh
Deidre Tavera, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Development, Hartford Public Schools
Jim Tucker, Superintendent, El Dorado Public Schools

In each Promise community various challenges have arisen, including changing community cultures, reversing declines, and eliminating disparities, among others; from outside the K-12 and higher education environments. In addition to the challenges that have been conquered, we will explore other barriers that have been more resistant to change or come from institutional obstinance. Secondarily, to truly transform Promise students’ life prospects and educational outcomes, local ecosystems in which students live, work, play and grow must be addressed. How do community members — including school and district administrators, service workers, funders and business executives — align efforts around the belief that “all kids are our kids?”