Educational Programs

Empowered through EDUCATION
With the support from local, state, and national partners, the 
Urban League of Greater Chattanooga is preparing students as 
well as adults for academic success by offering the following 
educational programs:
•           The 21st Century Learning Center – after school tutorial program
•           A World in Motion – Science and Engineering Camp
•           Scholastic Book Distribution Literacy Initiative
•           National Achievers Honor Society
•           Urban League/Infinite Scholars Scholarship Fair

21st Century Community Learning Centers
As part of the No Child Left Behind Act, 21st Century Community Learning Centers were created as an opportunity for students and their families to continue educational and social growth after the school year has ended. Organizations wishing to establish 21st CCLC programs must submit an application to the government to receive funding. The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga has been offering this service for four consecutive school terms. Participating students receive free academic instruction and enrichment opportunities such as dance and martial arts.

The Street Academy
The program, designed to provide academic and social enrichment, combines joint efforts from the Urban League, Hamilton County Schools, parents and the community. During the 2005-2006 school year more than 250 elementary school students receive an extra 200 hours of academic instruction in reading and math. In addition to academics, students were also given the opportunity to participate in enrichment programs such as ballet, tai kwon do and stained-glass art. The program has successfully maintained an attendance rate greater than 92 percent and has shown an increase in student TCAP test scores. The Street Academy is free to any child enrolled in a school identified as "high priority" by No Child Left Behind and meets Title 1 guidelines. The program is conveniently located at each of Chattanooga’s qualified schools, and employs Hamilton County teachers.

Read and Rise
Read and Rise is a National Urban League initiative developed in partnership with Scholastic, Inc., Target Stores, Inc., and Community Impact to provide parents with the tools to boost their child’s reading skills. Families are given books to practice reading at home and to add to their personal library. In 2005, 106 families were actively engaged in this program, and half reported reading aloud at home four or more times a week. 69% of students who participated in Urban League education programs tested proficient or advanced on the TCAP. Urban League after school programs had a 95% attendance rate for the 2005-2006 school year. As part of this program, more than 3000 Scholastic books were distributed to area families.

Scholarships
Each year the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga gives away thousands of dollars to help finance the college expenses of deserving students. Partnering with BI-LO Supermarkets this year the Urban League has awarded Tiffany Smith and Jessica Williams with the 2006 BI-LO/Urban League scholarship. Tiffany and Jessica will each receive $2500 towards their college education.

Tiffany is a graduate of Tyner Academy and plans to major in accounting at Tennessee State University. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Beta Club.

Jessica is a graduate of Baylor School and plans to major in psychiatry at Colby College in Maine. She is a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Converse College Junior Scholar Award.

Parent Leadership Academy
The Parent Leadership Academy is designed to equip parents with the tools and resources needed to take an active role in their child’s education. Parents who participate in the free five-week program will attend workshops on topics such as family and child development, school fundraising, education policies and team building and will hear from guest speakers from the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Hamilton County Education Association and National Parent Teacher Association. Program participants receive a $500 stipend to complete a school or community project of their choice such as planning a book drive or launching a fundraising campaign for new classroom computers for their child’s school. Free childcare and dinner is provided during meeting times. For more information or to register for an upcoming Parent Leadership Academy, contact the Urban League at 756-1762 or visit www.ulchatt.net.