The community that Casa serves has many concerns in the area of Child Education. The Allentown School District (ASD) has been designated as an empowered school district under the Education Empowerment Act, meaning that the school had a combined average of 50 percent or more of its students scoring in the bottom 25 percent in the state in reading and math test scores (called PSSAs) for two consecutive years. These scores are particularly problematic since there is a significant achievement gap, or difference between the percentage of white and Latino students achieving proficiency. A study by Mercyhurst College found that Allentown has a higher teenage pregnancy rate than other Pennsylvania cities, including larger cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and smaller cities such as Scranton and Bethlehem. Casa Guadalupe Center’s innovative programming has aided ASD in reducing the achievement gap and plays an important role in reducing Allentown’s teenage pregnancy rates.
The Pa’Lante After School Program serves mostly inner-city students in grades 1-10 from the Allentown School District. An average of 65 students meet Monday – Friday afterschool. The children receive one-on-one tutoring and homework help from local college students (Muhlenberg College, LCCC) and Casa’s certified and educated bi-lingual staff. After homework and a free healthy snack, the children concentrate on grade-appropriate group activities including lessons on financial literacy, computers, reading, arts & crafts and games. Casa reinforces the emphasis on financial literacy by seeking innovative ways to infuse the wise use of money in situational problem-solving. Pa’lante also provides a free meal prior to sending its Kids home.
This year, Pa’lante Kids worked with a more intangible proposition. They learned about product research, development, production and copyrighting, and are in the process of developing a business model centered on a higher degree of marketing.
A first for Pa’lante Kids: this summer they will be going on an educational trip to Washington D.C. to visit the Smithsonian Institute and the Library of Congress, all at no cost to them or their parents. (Visit us shortly for the pictures!) It promises to be an amazing experience.