Demonstrated Effectiveness

Oasis Demonstrated Effectiveness in Improving Math and ELA Skills

A recent evaluation of the Oasis programs in Brownsville Brooklyn by the Institute for Research and Professional Development (IRPD) found that Oasis Children's Services "had a positive and statistically significant effect on children's English Language Arts scores during the regular school year."

The IRPD found children participating in Oasis increased test scores, for the year 2004-2005, scoring at or above expectancy (Levels 3 &4) on ELA and Mathematics, increasing by 18.9% and 8.4% respectively.

All children in District 23 of Region 5 improved however, Oasis participants showed a significantly larger improvement on ELA scores, increasing by 7.9% more than their District 23 counterparts.

The IRPD found that at every age level children at Oasis summer programs, "were encouraged to play with language in age-appropriate, imaginative activities that connect written language to art, science, daily camp experiences, and the performing arts" and that "the use and production of poetry were rampant in the program."

Oasis summer programs have a high return rate from year to year. Over 50% of the participants from the summer of 2006 had attended in 2005 and 27% of the children who participated in 2006 had been in the program for three years or more.

Youth Studies, Inc. recently completed an analysis of achievement data for students who participated in the Oasis Children's Services 21st Century Community Learning Centers by using the data provided by the New York City Department of Education's Office of Assessment and Accountability. As a result of this data Sharing Success, a project of Transferring Success, publicly funded by the New York State Legislature and the Governor's Office, has recognized Oasis as a Promising Practice, citing "ELA and Math achievement data for the years 2003 through 2008 indicate that a greater proportion of Oasis participants met and exceeded state proficiency standards than did non-participants, i.e., students from the same schools as the participants. Further, Oasis participants' average attendance rate for the school year following the summer program was considerably higher than that of comparison students."

ELA Improvement

In each year of the program Oasis participants outperformed their counterparts on state administered English Language Arts (ELA) exams. Over the six year period approximately 53% of Oasis participants scored at or above state standards in ELA as compared to 31% of students overall at both schools. Furthermore, the proportion of Oasis participants who met state standards improved approximately 10% over the six year period (from 50.6% to 60.1%). By comparison the overall proportion of students who met state standards at both schools improved only 4.5%.

Math Improvement

Similarly, in each year of the program Oasis participants outperformed their counterparts on state administered Mathematics exams. Over the six year period approximately 60% of Oasis participants scored at or above state standards in ELA as compared to 36% of students overall at both schools. The proportion of Oasis participants who met state standards improved approximately 14% over the six year period (from 52.6% to 66.8%), with an outstanding 72% of Oasis participants meeting or exceeding state standards in 2007.

School Year Attendance Improvement

Oasis programs strive to help create a culture of school pride and connectedness coupled with improved engagement in the classroom. School attendance records from both IS 55 and PS 298 from 2005 - 2008 show a significant difference between the school year attendance rates of Oasis participants and their peers. Oasis participants averaged an attendance rate of 93% during the four years statistics were available, 6% better than the schools' overall averaged attendance rate of 87%.

Oasis Experience

Oasis has an extensive record of implementing effective out-of-school time education programs and collaborating and maintaining successful relationships with a diverse array of public schools, charter schools, public agencies, education departments, parks departments, colleges/universities, and community based organizations.

Grant Writing Success

Oasis employs a full-time business development team with a strong history of being awarded local, state, and federal grants including private foundation grants, 21st Century Community Learning Center grants, and Learn and Serve America grants. The Oasis team coordinates partners, writes, edits, and submits proposals for potential funding sources in partnership with schools, Local Educational Agencies, and not-for-profits.

21st Century Community Learning Center Grants

Since its inception in 2000, Oasis has been awarded and successfully implemented nine separate 21st CCLC sites, serving thousands of children from disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout NYC. Oasis 21st CCLC programs can serve multiple schools and vary in size from 50 - 500 participants. Independent evaluations of Oasis 21st CCLC programs from 2003-2008 have shown significant improvements in both and Math and ELA scores on state exams among participants, as well as improved attendance and behavioral statistics.

Charter School Partnerships

Oasis has a proven record of successfully partnering with charter schools. In 2008 Oasis operated a summer enrichment program serving 150 students from Community Partnership and Beginning with Children Charter schools in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Oasis designed and operated a successful summer program for the renowned Harlem RBI program's Dream Charter School in 2009 & 2010. The Oasis program model has the flexibility to meet the unique schedules and cultures specific to charter schools as well as the ability to integrate specific academic initiatives and school year teachers.

Summer School Wrap-Around Services

Oasis has a strong history of providing summer recreation and cultural arts programming that compliments and integrates existing summer school academic programming. In 2004 Oasis operated 26 wrap-wound programs in partnership with the New York City Board of Education. These half-day summer programs offered much needed attendance incentive and variety of programming for mandatory summer school participants.

Partnership with Students in Temporary Housing

Since 2006 through various DOE contracts, 21st CCLC awards, and partnerships Oasis has provided programs for over 600 homeless youth in New York City. Extensive training is provided specific to working with homeless youth and an Oasis interventionist (MSW/PhD) is present at all times working with students, staff, and parents, and partners to ensure all students' emotional and psychological needs are met appropriately at all times. This includes program activities and rituals designed to help STH students with character education, improved self-esteem, and conflict resolution.

Supplemental Educational Services (SES)

Oasis is currently an approved New York State SES provider. Oasis SES programs include specific summer tutoring services and individualized learning plans for all participants. Go to the Oasis SES website