SOE News Briefs: Summer Programs

Freedom School Launch

The School of Education launched the Waco Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools this summer, led by Dr. Lakia Scott, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction. Freedom Schools is a seven-week summer literacy enrichment program with emphases on social action, character building and STEAM activities through interactive, meaningful curriculum.

Baylor’s 2017 Freedom School, which was free for the students, was at Cesar Chavez Middle School during June and July, hosting 50 rising sixth graders in Waco ISD. Pre-service teachers in the School of Education had the opportunity to work at the camp and serve the children from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
 

Project Promise Funding

Baylor University, through a community outreach grant, has taken over funding of Project Promise, a component of the School of Education’s University for Young People (UYP) that serves gifted and talented low-income Waco ISD students.

Project Promise had received partial funding since 1999 from a federal community block grant through the City of Waco. With the new funding provided by Baylor, Project Promise will continue to provide tuition, transportation, meals and mentor support at no cost to around 60 students to participate in UYP programs with their peers.
 

Higher Education Leadership Seminar

The School of Education and the Department of Educational Leadership hosted the eleventh annual Christian Higher Education Leadership Seminar. Open to all higher-education leaders, the Seminar is geared to serve primarily senior leaders of faith-based colleges and universities.

“Mainstream leadership programs, although valuable, often do not address the mission-distinctive aspects of Christian higher education,” said Dr. Rishi Sriram, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and director of the Seminar.