IMPACT
AUGUST 2014
OUTCOMES
RAISING THE EDUCATION BAR IN THE D.R.
“T
his kid is not worth the effort
one
are
because he won’t learn.”
Marginalizing statements like this
teachers and even dren
of
with
chillearn-
ing problems, said Altagracia
plateau.
Unbound staffers ... wanted to create a way to support the children who were falling behind.
Around
20 percent of 4,000 sponsored friends were
repeating
the same grade or had below-average scores.
Flores,
an Unbound staffer in the Dominican
Unbound staffers were worried and wanted to create a way to support the chil-
Republic. These attitudes mainly stem from a Altagracia Flores
In 2007, education for many sponsored friends in the Dominican Republic hit a
often
heard coming from parents
learning problems in children, she said.
dren who were falling behind in school.
lack of knowledge and training to identify
(continued)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHES IN AUGUST!
Nothing inspires confidence like the feeling of being celebrated on your birthday. Many children and elders we work with had never experienced a birthday party in their honor until they were sponsored. You can send a donation for birthday celebrations with your next sponsorship contribution.
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IMPACT
3 out of 4 Unbound sponsored youth worldwide reach or exceed education levels comparable to their national peer average
36% of sponsored youth in the D.R. exceed the average education level of their peer group by a year or more of schooling
62% of sponsored youth in the Dominican Republic reach the educational level of their peers
SOURCE: 2013 UNBOUND SURVEY
The guide teaches instructors how to create an equal learn-
(continued from front) They drafted an education guide that helped improve the
ing opportunity for all children. It has been especially helpful for
grades of sponsored children and gave educators techniques on
teachers whose classrooms have a mix of students, including
how to simultaneously teach different types of learners.
those with learning disabilities.
Many public schools in the Dominican Republic are using the
The teaching methods proposed were intended to cover
guide in their classrooms with sponsored and non-sponsored
from the first to fourth grades. However, some teachers from
children, affecting other students in the country to some extent.
fifth through seventh grades have also used the guide and have reported great results.
CREATING CHANGE Altagracia,
a
former
teacher,
was
in charge of leading the effort to help improve education among sponsored children. With a master’s degree in special education and 40 years of teaching experience, she was the perfect candidate
“Being able to use my talents to make an impact on so many lives is one of the things that makes me most proud.”
to lead the project.
— ALTAGRACIA
“Most teachers [in the Dominican Republic] do not receive any special for-
A+ WORTHY In 2007, around 20 percent of 4,000 sponsored children were repeating the same grade or had below-average grades. The training guide was then implemented in classrooms, and Unbound staffers waited for the results. By 2013, the project had grown to 7,000 sponsored children. Despite the
mation or training in the area of children with learning prob-
growth, the number of children who had problems in school
lems,” Altagracia said. “When I was still working as a teacher, I
was significantly lowered. The project reported only 11 percent
implemented some of the ideas and techniques I had learned,
of sponsored children had low grades or repeated grades.
and the results were very positive.”
Children entering the sponsorship program after 2007 with
Altagracia’s methods guided teachers on how to teach all children, those with learning disabilities and those without, to read and write and increase reading comprehension.
similar challenges were able to overcome learning problems. The teaching methods were a success. “Being able to use my talents to make an impact on so many
Altagracia and other Unbound staffers invited teachers to
lives is one of the things that makes me most proud,” Altagra-
review the guide and give their feedback before creating the
cia said. “I feel that at my age, I am able to really use what I’ve
final version.
learned over the years.”
Photos of sponsored friends in the Dominican Republic are displayed on a wall in the local Unbound office to inspire Altagracia. 1 ELMWOOD AVENUE, KANSAS CITY, KS 66103
800.875.6564
MAIL@UNBOUND.ORG
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