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SEPTEMBER 2004

Research that Connects to Community Life Pays Off
by Dr. Charlotte K. Frank & Phyllis Frankfort

Over 1400 New York City high school students recently created innovative proposals ranging from recommending health report cards to prevent obesity among students in New York City schools, to a policy solution to help solve the city's housing crisis, to creating a youth activism campaign to stop companies from sending jobs overseas. These research-based solutions were submitted to the Quality of Life Competition last April in response to the question: "What would you do to improve the quality of life?" Scholarships, awards and implementation grants totaling $45,500 were awarded to students recently at The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Student quality of life proposals were based on library research, independent field research, and consultation with experts. Their topics focused on health care (22 percent), environmental issues (18 percent), education (17 percent), neighborhood concerns (17 percent), and immigration (7 percent), among other topics. Second prizewinner, Samantha Scully of Sheepshead Bay High School, was excited because she "was able to conduct a scientific bacterial growth experiment for the first time!" Semifinalists Gloria Lee and Esther Lee of Hunter College High School reported, "We were both really able to see how public policy is made in response to a city's needs." Mayor Bloomberg, recognizing the importance of the ideas proposed by youth, signed certificates of achievement for students.

The $17,500 first prize went to senior, Inna Guzenfeld, of Stuyvesant High School for her proposal to combat AIDS-related stigma in high schools. Guzenfeld proposes a bold new program that brings HIV-positive speakers into high school classrooms, as well as a guide that will help teachers create an atmosphere of greater tolerance within schools. Inna's plan is being given to the Department of Education.

The precedent for making a real difference in New York City has been set by students throughout the program's nine-year history. Implemented proposals to prevent bullying, improve relationships between minority teens and the police, bridge the digital generation divide, remodel school bathrooms to meet health code regulations, and promote awareness of prostate cancer, among others, have made a difference in the lives of New Yorkers. Thousands of students are benefiting from a proposal that recommended free Princeton Review SAT prep courses for low-income students to create a level playing field. The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation has generously funded this proposal for four years at a cost of over $1 million dollars.

The Quality of Life Program, managed by Working In Support of Education (WISE), works in partnership with over 50 community agencies and 75 schools, and has served approximately 8,000 students and awarded over $300,000 in college scholarships. To find out more about this innovative and successful initiative, contact the Quality of Life Program at 212-421-2700.#

Dr. Charlotte K. Frank is a Sr. V.P. at McGraw-Hill Education & member of the WISE Board of Directors. Phyllis Frankfort is President & CEO of WISE.

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