Boston Learning Center

CONTACT:

208 Ashmont St.
Dorchester, MA 02124
617-265-7170
bostonlearningcenter.org

Ayele Shakur, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

BLC is tackling the anti-school culture head-on, with an after-school program named BIFF -- “Building Inspiration to Fight Failure” -- which proves to kids where that leads; it teaches them the “rules of the game” for academic success, and develops the skills to win; it provides strong incentives, so that negative peer pressure gives way to positive support. For example, kids who make honor roll are picked up after school in a white stretch limo to go out for pizza. BIFF has piloted in four schools, with an 85% success rate for 250 kids who had been failing classes, repeating grades, or contemplating dropping out. Grades improved by 12-30 points in English, history, math and science; 2/3 made averages above 78%; 1/3 went from Failing to Honor Roll (80% or higher). Best news: when 20% of the student body changed, the whole school followed because BIFF kids are leaders. Since 2003, BLC has tripled — staff to 24, budget to $650,000, and from 135 students in three schools to over 500 students in nine schools. In 2006 they opened a Springfield office, and a Los Angeles program is coming. The Gates Foundation says that lack of motivation is the main cause for our nationwide dropout crisis. These folks have just published a book: Street Smart to School Smart: How to Motivate Failing Teens and Reform Urban Schools In Just 9 Weeks. Catalogue donors?

(2003: CULTURE: Education: Formal: Schools)