Monday, Communities In Schools of Rowan County (CIS) released new data from the 2014-15 school year showing 97 percent of students served are promoted to the next grade despite high levels of poverty and other significant barriers to success. This impact is attributable to individualized integrated student supports or wraparound services provided to students in seven schools here in the community.

CIS has a proven model of student success, combining research- and evidence-based practices with regularly checking in and connecting with students, ensuring school attendance, improving behavior, shoring up coursework and engaging parents. Starting early, CIS is equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom — and in life.

“CIS students are powering our future,” said Eric Hall, president and CEO of Communities in Schools of North Carolina. “Challenged by barriers many of us can’t imagine, our students are achieving, and they are moving on to become contributors to our communities and our state. Watching our students thrive gives me great pride.”

The report lists:

• 97 percent of students served by Communities In Schools were promoted to the next grade
• 78 percent of students served by Communities In Schools met their attendance goal.
• 86 percent of students served by Communities In Schools met their coursework goal.

Last year, 3,152 students were supported by school-wide interventions, in addition to the almost 337 receiving targeted services. School-based Student Support Specialists create tailored student success plans that focus on increased attendance, improved behavior and enhanced coursework — indicators of student success as identified by research from Johns Hopkins University.

“In addition to providing high-quality services to students, CISNC also collects valuable data that allows us to measure and document student success in key areas such as attendance, behavior, and academics,” said Laura Knapp, principal investigator for RTI International, CIS’ third-party data validation partner. “Despite the fact that they already collect data that is superior to many other student support programs, CISNC consistently looks for ways to improve their data processes and systems.

About Communities In Schools

Communities In Schools of Rowan County is part of the leading dropout prevention organization in the nation, working collaboratively with nearly 400 schools across North Carolina to change the lives of thousands of students across our state each year. Based directly inside schools, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical educational and community-based resources, tailored to each student’s specific needs, creating an environment where students can learn, thrive and succeed. Learn more at www.cisrowan.org.