Research Alliance for Multiple Pathways (RAMP) for Mobile's Youth

In September 2007, The U.S Department of Labor named the City of Mobile as one of the seven cities to undertake their Multiple Education Pathways Blueprint initiative. The U.S. Department  of Labor is providing $2.95 million in funding to six cities to "blueprint" and implement systems that can connect young people who have dropped out of high school to alternative learning opportunities. This funding is intended to serve as a catalyst and will bring together community partners in Mobile, AL; Gary, IN.; Des Moines, IA; Metairie, LA.; Brockton, MA.; Fall River, MA.; and Pittsburgh, PA. Efforts will be focused on engaging youth in career preparation and encouraging them to pursue postsecondary education.

In Mobile's approach a collaborative of community, business, K-12 ,and higher education leaders will form the Research Alliance for Multiple Pathways (RAMP) for Mobile's Youth, a county-wide partnership of individuals who have expertise in serving Mobile's Youth. The City of Mobile is creating the RAMP for Mobile's youth in response to the unacceptable cohort dropout rate of 50.3%.  The RAMP (Research Alliance for Multiple Pathways) for Mobile's Youth includes 1) the development of a system and an infrastructure that is necessary to monitor progress, report findings, engage the public, and drive and sustain the work required and 2) the creation of a blueprint that addresses the needs of Mobile's students that have either already dropped out of the education system or are at risk of doing so.  These outcomes are dependent on connecting key partnerships and resources in an alliance for maximum impact.  Key partners in our alliance, led by Mobile's Mayor Sam Jones, include the Mobile County Public School System (MCPSS), the University of South Alabama (USA), Bishop State Community College, Mobile Works (coordinates Workforce Investment Act activities), the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the office of the District Attorney and the Mobile Area Education Foundation (MAEF).

The MAEF will coordinate all of the work associated with developing the RAMP Blueprint.  The MAEF was founded in 1992 as a unique, central voice representing the entire community around the issues of public education. The vision of this organization has and will always be to ensure that every student in Mobile County be afforded the opportunity to succeed. Today, the mission remains the same, but the work has evolved to reflect the larger issues that surround public education.  Currently, MAEF seeks to fulfill its mission by providing resources to enhance the public schools in the Mobile community through public engagement, by providing education grants, and through project implementation.

MAEF has a proven track record as convener of partners across the city and broker of efforts between the city, community, Mobile Works, and school system.  It has proven over the last 15 years that it has the ability to translate data into meaningful and actionable steps through its YES WE CAN community engagement model.  MAEF has taken the lead on developing and brokering the Education Commission in partnership with the USA and MCPSS. In addition, MAEF's staff of twelve has been dedicated over the years to improving Mobile public schools and has the ability to support, translate and implement the mayor's strategy on the intersection of workforce/economic and education development.