Public Education Foundation of Marion County

Take stock in children is a program for deserving low-income children in Marion County to escape the cycle of poverty by offering students college scholarships if they follow program guidelines. Each student is also provided a caring volunteer mentor that meets with the student once a week for all 4 years of high school. The goal is to reduce high school drop-outs and increase the number of students who finish college. During the 2022- -2023 year there were 219 active middle and high school students in the program with each of those students having a 100% mentor match. There are 181 active student mentors with some mentoring more than 1 student. College tuition scholarships was awarded to the 41 students in the graduating class of 2023. The program boasts a 97% high school graduation rate compared to 80% of their at-risk peer group.

Grants for great ideas is a competitive grant program open to all Marion County Public schools teachers and principals. The grants provide financial resources to implement creative and innovative curriculum and programs in the areas of stem Education, literacy, assisting low- performing students, increasing graduation rates, career and technical Education, and supporting students in need, including mental health and wellness initiatives. The grant applications are scored by a group of community volunteers and Foundation board members. Grants are scored on the following criteria: 1. Addresses a need or creates an opportunity. 2. Will positively impact student learning. 3. Measurable outcomes are realistic. 4. Follow-up evaluation. 5. Number of low performing and overall students impacted. During the 2022-23 school year, approximately 90,000 in grants for great ideas projects was awarded.

Tools 4 teaching is designed to allow teachers to obtain free teaching materials and other free supplies for their classrooms and students in need. The goal is to allow both teachers and students to have the tools necessary for success. All Marion County Public school teachers may shop once a month for free supplies. Teachers who have the materials and supplies necessary to teach are more motivated to teach and the quality of their teaching is improved. In past surveys, teachers reported that having adequate school supplies improved student grades, attendance and behavior. During the 2022-2023 year, tools 4 teaching hosted a total of 4,258 shopping trips & provided over 518,500 in free supplies.

Other programs of the Foundation such as the school business partner program, golden apple teacher recognition program, school related employee of the year program, teacher to be scholarship program, senior scholarship program and the silver river science lab & Education center initiative all expand support for Marion County Public schools. School business partners is a program that establishes relationships between Public schools and the business community to enhance educational excellence. These partnerships are multi-year commitments in which businesses provide additional funding for campus-wide projects. 100% of Marion County Public schools were partnered during the 2022-2023 school year.