• Attendance Rates
• Discipline Rates
• Number of students qualifying for FARMS
• Special Education student enrollment
• PARCC Scores - Mathematics (Middle grades 6, 7, 8)
• PARCC Scores - English/Language Arts (Middle grades 6, 7, 8)

Key Challenge #1: Number of students qualifying for FARMS

The effects of poverty at Brooklyn Park Middle School have been observed for the past 20 years or more. The BPMS team continues to find unique ways to meet the students and families in our school community where they are. The 2017-2018 MSDE data shows the percentage of students and families qualifying for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) at Brooklyn Park Middle School was 57.4%. Historical data shows the following FARMS percentages:

Academic School Year	% Students who qualify for FARMS
2015-2016	56.4%
2016-2017	56.1%
2017-2018	57.4%

The percentage of students and families qualifying for FARMS is steadily rising. This statistic is impacted by the substantial number of students who do not qualify for FARMS and who are enrolled in the PVA program.

Poverty affects every aspect of our students’ lives, from the ability to concentrate in the classroom setting to completing work outside of school. Many of our families are impacted by “generational poverty” and because they were born into this situation, they rarely have the tools and ability to improve their quality of life. We realize that we only influence students for a short portion of the day; their home life and parent involvement also impact their success in the classroom. (indicators 5, 10)

Key Challenge #2: Attendance

The 2017-2018 MSDE data shows the attendance rate at Brooklyn Park Middle School was 93.9%. Historical data shows the following attendance rates:

Academic School Year	Attendance Rate
2015-2016	94.5%
2016-2017	94%
2017-2018	93.9%

There are many contributing elements to our attendance issue. A primary factor is that many students walk to school, which is in turn impacted by weather, crime rates, visibility, and distance. Therefore, a lack of transportation negatively impacts attendance. Some families struggle to overcome the many barriers, which often accompany poverty, that may result in a lack of routines and structure within the home. These barriers may add challenges for parents to follow the school schedule, leading to absenteeism and a high rate of tardiness.  (indicators 5, 10)

As a school community, we recognize the impact that poor attendance has on student success. Attendance gaps result in students falling behind in instruction. Students who begin school as struggling learners continue to struggle without a consistent supportive academic program.  (indicators 5, 10)

• Socio-Economic Issues (employment, income levels, housing costs)
• Businesses/Job Market
• Student Mobility
• Unaccompanied youth and homelessness
• Access to food ("food desert")
• Rates of crime
• Access to transportation
• Limited English proficiency for students and/or families
• Families in Crisis (mental, physical emotional, financial)
• Access to healthcare
• Substance Abuse
• Inclusion of programs of choice

Key Challenge #3: Families in Crisis

More and more, our school families are experiencing significant trauma. The struggle to find adequate housing leads to small row houses being filled beyond capacity. Often, many of these rowhomes provide shelter for more than one family at a time. Due to the limited space and the number of people living in these homes, the lack of a quiet space may lead to sleep deprivation in students. It is not unusual to see students fall asleep in an active classroom due to exhaustion. (indicators 6, 10)

Due to the stress caused by these situations, it is not uncommon for parents to turn to drugs and alcohol, which, in turn, can lead to addiction problems. The lack of both physical and mental healthcare locally is another factor complicating the well-being of our families. The health room in our school becomes their health clinic. We are fortunate enough to have a social worker assigned to our building a few days a week to help families in need. In addition, we have a Villa Maria therapist who works directly with many of our families who need support.  (indicators 1 and 10)

All of these factors contribute to the lack of school readiness in our students. Research shows that brain development during a child’s first few years of life lays the foundation for later growth and learning capacity. Therefore, early experiences are crucial to academic progress; yet, our students often arrive at school with little exposure to vocabulary, literacy, and numeracy. Early adolescence involves the development of theoretical and abstract reasoning where students begin to form their moral, ethical, philosophical, and social beliefs. Without family and home stability, these crucial developmental phases will be stunted. 

• Socio-economic community issues (employment, income levels, housing costs)
• Significant changes over time in student/community demographics
• Access to (or lack of access) to public transportation
• Access (or lack of access) to community social programs
• Access (or lack of access) to community health-related programs
• Significant increase/reduction in student enrollment numbers