A Year in Review

Despite statistics illustrating overwhelming drop-out rates and simply apathetic students, we know that this is not the full story. Students with engaged parents and a dynamic educational experience can develop a thirst for learning that they maintain in primary schooling through adulthood. With a track record of providing successful media arts programs in and out of school, Preservation LINK’s focus on media technology, reading, writing, and interpersonal activities stems from the understanding that students who possess strong literacy, critical thinking, and social skills early on are more likely to experience overall success-no matter their background. We, as a society, we are better off when increased numbers of students can use their skills to create, persuade, and advocate as citizens of the world. PLI’s programs should be supported because they represent an investment in our children-a population from whom we should expect great returns.

During my evaluation of PLI programs this year:

• I documented a number of things: children embracing the critique process as they suggested how a fellow classmate might improve their story and children originally reticent to speak in class progressing into children emboldened enough to describe plans for improving their own stories as well as share their career goals.

• I noted an increase in the number of students who were able to confidently explain fact vs. opinion, inferences, and how to deconstruct an image. Students participated in lively discussions-eager to explain why they thought a particular picture conveyed happy times or hard work. 

• I saw some kids touch a camera for the first time, learn how to use editing software to create their own stories, and make money from the skills that they had learned.

• In addition to conducting class observations and focus groups and reviewing survey responses, I spoke with parents, principals, and students. Collectively, their comments underscore the position that students are always making meaning-a view that was impressed upon me during my own years in school. 
 

Thank you to everyone who has worked with and/or supported the evaluation of Preservation LINK’s programs this year-from the school administration and staff to the teachers, program volunteers, parents,  and students. I invite you to share our website www.preservationlink.org with others and subscribe to our newsletter
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001FDXsbtgbFRom6mG9BBYUghyuR1npGSRh. Let us know what topics, research, and issues matter most to you. 

Sincerely,

Shaunqula A. Wilson, Ph.D.

Director of Program Evaluation, Preservation LINK, Inc.