Impact Areas
The Decade of Difference: 2020 Initiative has six main impact areas. These Impact Areas have been selected based on strong evidence that demonstrates a positive correlation between each as they relate to future educational and vocational success.
Early Success
The Early Success workgroup focuses on the "early years" continuum ages 0-8. There is strong evidence through research demonstrating that providing early intervention, especially in the area of reading, is critical as it correlates with academic success, high school graduation, post-secondary success, and workforce competence.
By preparing our youth and ensuring their Kindergarten readiness, expanding early enrichment opportunities, and providing one-on-one early literacy support, our youth will be better prepared to succeed in school. The strong partnerships with organizations such as First 5 Humboldt are helping to shape the resources and services available to our young people and their families.
Financial Literacy, Savings & Planning
It is becoming increasingly important for young people to learn to earn, save, and manage their finances. We are placing increased emphasis on the importance of student savings, financial knowledge and future planning through interactive and relevant lessons. We are achieving this through high quality curriculum that has been developed and is being delivered through collaborative partnerships with several organizations in our community.
Youth Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation
How do we inspire our youth to be the entrepreneurial leaders of tomorrow? The Decade of Difference develops K-12 programs to infuse creativity, innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit in our schools. Dream...Discover...Design...Develop...and Do! Key to creating an entrepreneurial culture is inviting our business community to mentor young thinkers and provide first-hand knowledge of the principles, values and benefits of entrepreneurship and the Free Market system.
College & Career Planning
Exposing youth at an early age to the possibility of college and post-secondary education, in relation to future career opportunities is of critical importance. By providing students and their parents with relevant resources, access to reliable information and exposure to our local post-secondary institutions will assist us in meeting our objectives.
Additionally, we believe students who make connections between their current education and learning with future career aspirations, will become successful adults and employees. Our aim is to assist students in developing a pathway based on their interests and skills that will promote viable opportunities in the arenas of post-secondary education, vocational training, and career development.
Parent & Community Engagement
We recognize the critical role our parents and community play in the healthy development of our youth. Additionally, we share the belief that it takes a village to raise a child and we are committed to providing programs and resources that assist parents and community members to support children in achieving their aspirations and experiencing success in school, career, and in life.
Professional Development & Teacher Training
The Decade of Difference: 2020 Initiative is committed to enhancing student learning through high quality professional development and teacher training across Humboldt County. Initiative sponsored professional development opportunities will be developed and facilitated utilizing best practices around specific areas deemed to be important by participating schools and districts. The Initiative will further Humboldt State University's goal of creating a clinically based teacher training program in an effort to ensure our future teachers have the knowledge, experiences to successfully navigate our students through the 21st century.
