As dropout rates across the country continue to rise, the number one reason most high school students give for dropping out is that they don't feel connected to or engaged by their education and they don't see their education connecting them to jobs or other opportunities after high school.

To help stem the dropout rate in Providence and get students connected to their futures, PASA, through the Hub, developed the Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) project.

An ELO is a way for students to work on innovative projects based in the community that are aligned with school district standards and garner students credits toward graduation. The Hub's ELOs also incorporate internships with employers across a variety of industries. Currently, ELOs are only offered for students at the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex, but they'll be coming to additional Providence high schools in the coming year!

Offsite Learning

Expanded learning opportunities happen after school and outside of the classroom, but will often expand upon or connect to learning in the classroom.

ELOs, particularly for older youth, happen in a 24/7 environment, draw upon the resources of the community, blur the lines between schools and other valuable resources—like colleges, community organizations, museums, and employers—and incorporate virtual learning when appropriate.

The Hub's ELOs include more traditional after-school learning activities, but also incorporate more dynamic, real world activities more akin to professional internships or apprenticeships, independent study in alternative settings, and classes on the Brown college campus.

With ELOs, students work with a mentor from the community and a teacher who is certified in the ELO's subject. Together, they design in academically rigorous independent project that may be counted as a credit, is driven by students' passion, and is grounded in real world experience.

Student-Driven

An ELO allows for students to drive their learning and prove they have mastered the material within certain guidelines. An ELO occurs when a student, teacher and community mentor agree upon a defined project together. An ELO is similar to an independent study, but it has a set of guidelines and requirements specific to the ELO process.

To learn more about ELOs and to see projects and student profiles, go to www.hubprov.com.