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G2S Project Code: 2014-DC-73685
State: District of Columbia
Fiscal Year: 2014
Grantee
Richard Wright Public Charter School

Project Director
Director Name: Helen Compton-Harris
Director Phone: 202-388-1011 ext. 158
Director Email: hcompton-harris@richardwrightpcs.org
General Information
Title: News the Wright Way
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2014
End Date: 09/30/2015
Abstract: DC Public Library provided a sub-grant to the Richard Wright Public Charter School to create a series of weekly news broadcasts for the school and the community.  The project aimed to enhance students' literacy skills and strategies, both digital and non-digital.  It also provided teachers with professional development opportunities in the area of literacy.  In the broadcasts, students and teachers introduced monthly vocabulary words in English and frequently highlighted a thematic focus in Latin.  The broadcasts also provided information to the community on internal and external literacy events, such as book clubs for parents and students, reading programs offered at the school and through DC Public Library as well as research skills training at DC Public Library.  
State Goal: Access to Information
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$6,600.00
$0.00
$0.00
$6,600.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.
Community Concerns
Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: News the Wright Way
Narrative: Richard Wright Public Charter School used LSTA funds to create a series of weekly news broadcasts for the school and the community.  The project aimed to enhance students' literacy skills and strategies, both digital and non-digital.  It also provided teachers with professional development opportunities in the area of literacy. 
Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 10
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 10
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 10
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 13-17 years
18-25 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Black
Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: Yes
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Richard Wright Public Charter School
Address: 770 M Street SE
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20003
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
Internal and external communications were greatly improved. The school's mission was weaved into the broadcasts particularly an emphasis on literacy, media, and Latin. The broadcasts were student-based and exposed students to all aspects of media journalism -- reporters, anchors, film crews, script writers, editors, and marketers. They also fostered a collaborative atmosphere and encouraged all students to participate.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
These findings are important because students at the school need better literacy skills. Students were able to apply and develop the skill sets they studied in journalism and Language Arts classes to the newscast production. As a result, they increased their abilities to research, write and edit.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Interview/Focus Group
Participant Observation
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:
Engagement is critical to the learning process. Students understood the benefits of standard English usage when delivering the news. They also came to understand that successful broadcasts involve telling a good story which starts with strong writing skills.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
Yes: The Director of Media Arts and the Head of the School want to continue the broadcasts, but they have not decided in what format. New staff have been brought on to guide the students.
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Teens, Video production