See the Early Impact: CASA’s Academic Program is Helping Kids Thrive
Written by Kendra Jones
We are excited to announce the release of the impact report for the Academic Empowerment Program Pilot—a transformative initiative made possible through the collaboration between CASA of Lane County, the Eugene 4J School District, and our esteemed research partners from the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa. This report marks a significant milestone as we share the positive outcomes from just 5 months of support, highlighting the early success of our efforts to help local students achieve their full academic potential.
Thanks to the dedicated work of our partners, we’ve provided students with tailored academic support, mentorship, and the resources they need to overcome barriers and succeed. The research from the University of Oregon and the University of Iowa has helped us evaluate our approach, ensuring that we are creating a lasting and positive impact.
Key Highlights from the 5-Month Impact Report:
58% improvement in reading proficiency and 30% improvement in math skills among students involved in the program.
10 Advocates who dedicated 273 hours of their time and expertise to empower youth, in the 5 months the program operated in the 2023-24 school year.
Valuable research insights from our partners that will help shape the next phase of the program.
Inspiring success stories that highlight the resilience and achievement of students who have overcome challenges. One Academic Empowerment Advocate assigned to work with a 6 year old in the 2nd grade discovered she was unable to count to 10 and was very shy and reserved in her class. Over the next 5 months, our AEA worked diligently to build confidence and essential math skills. By the end of the year, she was able to count to over 100 and is confident and far more engaged in the classroom.
This report, though reflective of only a 5-month period, serves as a promising foundation for future research and program development. As we look ahead, future impact reports will include data from full school years and complete fiscal years for the CASA program, giving a more comprehensive view of the long-term effects on both academic success and well-being.
In addition, we are expanding our research to include health impact data for the CASA program. This will allow us to understand not only how academic outcomes are influenced but also how CASA's support impacts the overall health and well-being of the children and families we serve.
Looking Ahead:
Future impact reports will incorporate full school year data for the Academic Empowerment Program and full fiscal year data for CASA, offering a deeper understanding of the long-term results.
Our expanded research will focus on both academic and health-related outcomes, ensuring that CASA’s support has a holistic and lasting effect on the children in our care.
The full impact report is now available for you to explore, and we invite you to take a closer look at the early success we’ve achieved in just five months. Thank you for your continued support. Together, with the guidance of our research partners, mentors, and dedicated staff, we are paving the way for brighter, healthier futures for the children of Lane County.
