We have also worked closely with the educational community to help boost academic performance — a critical steppingstone toward a more successful path in life. We’re proud to report that participating students demonstrate a marked increase in the comprehension of marine-related math and science per The State of Connecticut’s pre- and post-program testing.
Our organization has been recognized by the International School at Rogers Magnet as making a critical contribution to their winning the first Lone Pine Award for Greatest Academic Gains in Fairfield County. The school also credits our afterschool program with helping them win several Statewide awards:
- #2 Most Improved School
- #5 in Performance Gains by Students
- #2 in Low Income Students within Goal Range
- #3 in Hispanic Students within Goal Range.
For the last five years, we’ve internally measured and tracked the progress of the students in our programs. Additionally, in 2009, the Board hired an independent evaluator to complete a comprehensive evaluation.
This study (conducted by the Southern Connecticut University’s Department of Measurement and Evaluation) confirmed that Young Mariners has a profound impact on not just students’ academic achievements, but in Life Skills as well.
Here are a few highlights:
- The Blue Water Bound program has shown statistically significant improvements in scores against the CT State Standards for Science, Mathematics and Social Studies.
- The program positively contributed to student’s growth and development in areas related to Teamwork and Goal Setting, Life Skills, Self-Esteem, and Citizenship Skills.
- Parents reported that there was marked improvement in their children’s ability to set and work toward their own goal and self-motivation.
- The Environmental Sciences curriculum gave children an awareness of a world beyond themselves.
The YMF’s unique strategy of teaching teachers to sail (as opposed to training sailors to teach) was validated as follows: “The program director had the vision, commitment and foresight to hire classroom teachers and to then teach them to be sailing instructors when necessary.”
The summer & swimming programs are staffed by teachers who have recently been taught to sail & teach swimming. They have a deep understanding of how to convey skills and content to young learners. Many also appreciate the fears and apprehensions of a new sailor/swimmer, having just experienced them personally!