MPowering Kids Students Outperform Peers on Standardized Tests And Continue Major Academic Gains

93% of second year MPowering Kids students improve grades in math, 71% improve grades in reading

Westbury, NY, September 13, 2004 – MPowering Kids™, a non-profit charitable organization that provides tutoring, mentoring, and cultural enrichment programs for promising students in under-served communities, announced today that participating students posted impressive scores on state standardized tests for the second year in a row. The results are an independent confirmation of the effectiveness of the MPowering Kids program in helping students improve their reading, writing and math skills.

In the Tests Of New York State Standards (TONYSS), MPowering Kids students in the fourth and fifth grades significantly outperformed their peers. The Tests of New York State Standards are a set of criterion-referenced tests designed to measure students’ mastery of the New York State Learning Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics at grades 2—8.

Outstanding TONYSS Test Results
This year's fourth grade MPowering Kids students have been in the program for one year, while the fifth graders have been in the program for two years. Compared to their peers, the MPowering Kids students posted the following TONYSS results:

 

Percent Receiving  Advanced  & Proficient Scores	MPowering Kids Students	Peer Group
4th Grade English Language Arts	91%	40%
4th Grade Math	100%	84%
5th Grade English Language Arts	92%	64%
5th Grade Math	93%	64%

Dramatic Grade Improvements Continue
In addition to their outstanding performance on the state standardized tests, MPowering Kids also made significant improvements in their grades for the second year in a row.

Last year, after just one year in the program, fourth grade MPowering Kids students improved their grades as follows compared to their prior year:

• 81% improved in both Reading and Math
• 75% improved in Writing

This year, after two years in the program, fifth grade MPowering Kids students did even better, improving their grade as follows:

• 93% improved in Math
• 86% improved in Writing
• 71% improved in Reading

These results are even more extraordinary since many MPowering Kids student come from homes where English may not be spoken or is not the primary language.

“The MPowering Kids organization is extremely pleased by the outstanding performance of our students on the state standardized tests,” said Susan Marshall, Founder and President. “The results are clear.  MPowering Kids is making a direct impact on our students' academic progress.  Standardized tests are the gateway to higher education.  These outstanding scores are just one piece of the puzzle in assuring that MPowering Kids pursue a college education."

Program Director, Elizabeth Moglia, added "The dramatic success is due in great part to the uncompromising support we’ve received from the teachers, the Westbury School District administration and the families of our students.”

Dr. Constance Clark, the Superintendent of the Westbury School District, noted that “MPowering Kids provides a valuable service to our students and our community. The impressive results of the students participating in the MPowering Kids program prove that after-school programs that complement the curriculum in the classroom and that provide one-on one attention can make a big difference in a student’s academic achievements.” 

About MPowering Kids
MPowering Kids is a non-profit charitable organization that provides after-school tutoring, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and community service programs for motivated students in under-served communities. The MPowering Kids staff and volunteers work closely with students from their fourth grade year through their high school graduation, offering nine years of programs and opportunities to acquire the skills, habits and attitudes necessary to succeed in college and in life.

The MPowering Kids program is made possible through the generous support of individual and corporate sponsors. For additional information about MPowering Kids, please click on the About Us section or click on the Donations page to help support MPowering Kids.

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