Initiative for Lasting Change

We Believe Alliance has created an Initiative for Lasting Change that will bring together 
community partners to:

• prepare ALL students for school;
• ensure ALL students are reading by third grade (more than any other intervention,
  early childhood education has been proven to close the achievement gap); and
• close or eliminate the economic disparity and achievement gaps

This work will include:

• Developing ways for the Bloomington community of partners to support youth                        development and strengthen students' achievement potential.
• Developing community partnerships that provide tutoring, mentoring, and other                      help for students specifically focused on improving their academic work.
• Reframing the discussion about reducing the "achievement gap" to focus on overall                   development of the child as a core process in student achievement, and recognize the   importance of communities as a significant part of that development.
• Connecting families with organizations to meet basic needs for students and their                     families, such as housing, food, clothes, medical care, transportation, and employment opportunities.