Throughout 2011 and 2012, Taft has contributed and pledged more than $300,000 to Ralph Waldo Emerson School 58. The funds help support a full-time community/school coordinator, a part-time parent liaison/after-school assistant, funding for additional after-school programs, transportation home from those programs and more. In addition, Taft employees volunteer at the school in many different ways.

Following is a summary of activities and academic progress for the 2011-2012 school year and the first semester of the 2012-2013 school year.

2011-2012 School Year Summary

• A total of 32 after-school programs were offered either first or second semester.
• 39% of the students were enrolled in after-school programs (an increase of 28% from the prior year).
• Transportation home was provided for students enrolled in after-school programs. This allowed many students to participate who otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity.
• 46.5% of students passed both math and ELA sections for ISTEP (up from 41% the prior year).
• IPS 58 outperformed other schools with Project Seed (a math program). Eighty percent of students participating showed positive gains on the program’s post-test compared to pre-test scores.
• 75% of students who participated in Project Seed for two years achieved grade level ISTEP math scores.
• 50% of ReadUp students demonstrated more than a typical year’s growth in reading skills as measured by SRI.
• 182 parents attended two workshops that provided instructional tips for parents to support their child’s academic success.
• 145 home visits were completed by the parent liaison and 66 home visits were conducted by teachers prior to the school year.
• Taft employees volunteered at ReadUP, Cub Scouts and other after-school programs. Taft employees also donated uniforms for students in need.
• Taft recognized six Taft scholars for first semester grades and eight students for second semester. The firm also honored 13 students for most improved in their classroom.
• In addition, with funds provided by Taft, the school was able to (1) take sixth graders to IUPUI campus to show them college is an option for their future; (2) purchase a site license for Accelerated Reader (a program aimed at increasing students’ level of motivation for reading as well as provide assessment on comprehension); and (3) purchase six student response systems, which utilize technology to engage students in whole group question/answering sessions, providing immediate feedback to the teacher.

2012-2013 First Semester Update

• IPS 58 is temporarily relocated while the school is under construction this year.
• 11 after-school programs are being offered in the first semester.
• 100 students enrolled in after-school programs and 48 students participating are in Project 75, an after-school tutoring program.
• 14 teachers conducted home visits over the summer (up from three last year).
• Taft employees volunteer at ReadUP, Cub Scouts and other after-school programs. Two Taft employees volunteered on the first day of school.
• Several classrooms will visit the Indiana Repertory Theatre and attend a matinee production as a result of Taft’s partnership with IRT and donated tickets.
• Taft has provided the school with Indiana Ice tickets to use as incentives and other rewards for students and families.
• Academic statistics will be updated and provided following the end of the school year.

Taft’s partnership was recently featured in the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Gift Giving Guide. To read the article, please click here.

To learn more about Taft’s partnership with IPS, please click here.