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EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Obesity and the chronic associated diseases is one of the most significant medical challenges facing us today. One of the groups most affected by this challenge is children.
Today, one out of three children are overweight and/or obese in this country. This will not only continue in the future, its impact will only magnify, if we don't begin to take swift, immediate action. This is why Progress California was initiated last last year in 2012.
Progress California (ID#27-2170522) is a 501(c)(3) Public Benefit non-profit corporation founded with the expressed intent to help keep children healthy for a lifetime. Our aim is to create and support educational programs, activities and other stategies that promote good nutrition and an active lifestyle for our youth. This done through outreach to youth, their parents along with the staff who serve our youth through schools, as well as community centers and parks.
We do this by educational programs to those inner-city disctircts and communities such as the 52nd Assembly District, which are at the greatest risk.
Programs include health, nutrition and phsyical fitness festivals including local schools and community facilities, classroom-based eduational components for local pre-schools, elementary school and junior high school focusing on ehalthy lifestyles, as well as training programs for parents and youth service personnel, such as teachers regarding understanding and imparting the characteristics of a healthy lifestyle.
Progress California was the brainchild of the Honorable Isadore Hall, III, Assemblymember representing the 52nd Assembly District, becuase of his life-long passion to improve the health and welfare of children.
Throughout his political career whether as School Board President with the Compton Unified School District, Mayor Pro-Tempore in the Ciy of Compton, or in his capacity as Assemblymember he has dedicated himself to enhancing the quality of life for youth whether through improving access to healthy foods, professional health services, exercise programs and/or recreational facilities, a healthy and safe school environemnt, as well as to highest quality educational opportunities, Mr. Hall is the chairman of this important altruistic organization.
For further information about the mission of Progress California as well as to learn about the issue we are facing with childhood obesity, and the associated medical challenges such as diabetes and heart diseases, as well as how to become a part of the effort to eradicate this medical scourge to our youth, please go to www.progress-california.com. For more information or to see how you can help, please contact John Jacobs at The Capitol Alliance at 916-446-1990.
STEM Project
Progress California’s efforts to help children through creating and supporting educational programs is uniquely suited to initiate an inner-city Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program in the 64th Assembly District. Located near industrial areas, oil company employees overwhelmingly specialize in STEM subjects, where compensation for jobs are far above the state average in pay and benefits. Initiating an inner-city STEM program for local students is consistent with the mission of Progress California, which is to provide children with the tools to stay healthy for a lifetime. Exposure at an early age to STEM subjects in school and their application in the real world provides students with the help they need to compete in the workforce of the future.
Progress California aims to enhance local elementary schools so young students can be introduced to advanced education in STEM programs in specifically-selected Southern California schools. Elementary schools all over the nation are combining forces to expose the students at an early age to engineering and computer sciences. It is well documented that students exposed to STEM at an early age are more likely to follow this track throughout high school and pursue STEM-based college degrees. These lessons can be cycled throughout the school year among all students as a response to a national movement geared to increase student interest in choosing science and engineering careers. STEM provides the education necessary to compete in the global world.
Other states are far ahead of California as early STEM programs are actively being initiated throughout highly diverse cities. Financial support for these programs through grants and donations, will pay for the technology, start-up equipment, tools, laptop computers, and other program materials. The Start-Up costs are the most significant, and with your help we can make STEM programs a reality.
The Greater Los Angeles region is not identified as an opportunity market for STEM, and the 64th Assembly District could change the statistics for such a large city. Not only is STEM the basis of a nationwide push to transform science and math education from the primary grades to graduate school, but STEM is also at the center of transformation for large metropolitan cities for all kids -- not just those who test into these gifted programs. As an example, the following cities have strong concentrations and volumes of STEM jobs and are expected to experience higher relative STEM growth rates in the next five years: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Seattle, Washington DC, and New York City.
New York City Mayor Bloomberg’s effort to diversify the city’s economy following the financial crisis of 2008 is a relevant example that California can learn from. New York City’s public schools are focusing on elementary students because that is where the transformation of students begins. Studies show that the early grades lay the groundwork for the future by familiarizing students with science and math from a young age. In New York City, at all levels, city schools are enhancing their math and subject areas. The have rolled out hundreds of STEM programs at elementary schools, including dozens of free laptops, as well as adding math and science training to teacher’s professional development programs. Several schools have added after-school tutoring that concentrates solely on STEM subjects. These efforts have paid off in test score results where city scores on national science and math assessments have risen since 2006, while statewide scores fell.
“Learning By Doing” is necessary for the successful adoption of early STEM interface and transformation of students. The STEM revolution is just beginning to make it in less-advantaged schools, instead of the traditional model where only gifted kids test into STEM classes. Intensive classes in STEM subjects for all students, a computer lab, math coaches, and other resources can help schools outperform the city average on math and science tests.
Don’t leave kids behind! Elementary students will not get left behind if STEM is introduced in hands-on classroom settings, using real life examples to illustrate these specific concepts. In this setting, young children will learn math and science without even realizing they are doing something that could help their future.
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