1. Evidence of Success
Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center Volume 3
Using the Outdoors to Close the
Achievement Gap for Boston’s Urban Youth
“In order to bring equity of opportunity to all of Boston’s young
people, we must expand our ideas about what learning means—
including when, where, how, and with whom it happens.”
– Boston Learns Together,
a coalition of Boston’s education, nonprofit, and business leaders

2. In 2013, Thompson Island’s Connections program
engaged 4,039 Boston public school students,
including those most in need of opportunity.
80%
60%
40%
20%
40%
Connections integrates Massachusetts curriculum
frameworks into hands-on field experiences to
enhance academic learning and social emotional
growth. School lessons culminate in outdoor activities
which use Thompson Island’s varied habitats as the
classroom. Programs range from
year round engagement, five week
daily sessions in the summer and
one to three day overnights during
the school year. Connections
instructors work closely with
Boston Public School teachers to
bridge both science and social emotional learning
between the island and the school house.
Indicates schools served
Expanded to serve
47 public schools
in Boston’s most
underserved
neighborhoods.
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0%
Hispanic
36%
13%
9%
2%
30%
20%
75%
Black
White
Asian
Other
English
Learners
Special
Education
Lunch
Free/Reduced
Students Served

3. 35
30
25
20
15
10
5
1 Surveys, interviews, and focus groups designed and implemented by Program Evaluation
and Education Research (PEER) Associates, a firm specializing in evaluation and research of
outdoor and placed-based educational programs.
2 Pre post assessment created by Voyageur Math and American Reading Company.
3 Evaluation conducted by the National Institute of Out-of-School Time (NIOST) and funded
by a coalition of foundations. NIOST used a validated pre/post survey instrument developed
by the Massachusetts Department of Education to measure change in school age youth.
Thompson Island results are from its Summer Connections program and are compared to
annual statewide benchmarks (during a comparable four year time period) compiled by
NIOST from 21st Century Learning Centers across the state.
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
16%
23%
16%
31%
18%
31%
17%
27%
15%
30%
18%
Statewide Thompson Island Students
Average
Five Years of Proven Results
2009
Student surveys1 overwhelmingly report that participants
believe they are more likely to get better grades, set goals,
work hard and stay in school.
2010 Student focus groups1 report a more concrete grasp of academic
concepts as well as greater appreciation for collaboration.
2011
Teacher surveys and confidential interviews1 point to enhanced
engagement with academics, improved social emotional skills
and a high degree of alignment with curriculum standards.
2012 Pre-post assessments2 document significant student growth in
both math and English language arts.
2013
Four years of cumulative data from independent evaluation3
demonstrates consistently superior performance in both
academic and socio-emotional domains.
Average Percent Gain in Skills
2010 – 20133
Mathematics English
Language Arts
Initiative Relations
with Adults
Engagement
in Learning
Communication
Skills
26%

4. Thought Leaders
“The work on Thompson Island
shows how important learning in
the real world can be for young
people. More schools should
partner with Thompson Island
education center… and look to the
work on the island as an example
of how teaching to the test can be
done productively.”
– Boston Globe Editorial
“We are on a journey to make
access and achievement gaps
extinct in Boston and Thompson
Island is a key partner in our work.”
– Dr. Carol Johnson,
Former Superintendent, Boston
Public Schools
“I’ve yet to see a youngster step
off the boat from Thompson Island
and back onto the mainland whose
learning curve has not soared off
the chart. And that, after all, is
what good education is all about.”
– Roland Barth,
Founder of the Principals’ Center
at Harvard, author, principal
PO Box 127
Making a Difference Inside and Outside the Classroom
Boston, MA 02127
617.328.3900
Educators
Increased Academic Engagement
▪▪ In confidential interviews, 83% of educators report
that Connections students increased their interest in
academic work.
“They are more curious, more focused on making
connections between what they do there and what they are
learning in the classroom.”
– Boston Public School Teacher
Enhanced Character Development
▪▪ 92% of educators report that Connections students
demonstrated enhanced personal development.
“Connections has been instrumental in fostering
transformative change in our community. Our partnership
with TIOBEC has made me a better teacher and has changed
the self-image and life trajectory for so many 6th grade
scholars.”
– Boston Public School Teacher
Strong Alignment with In-School Curriculum
▪▪ 96% of educators believe Connections reinforces
curriculum standards.
“This is not just a discrete field trip, it is totally connected to
the work we are doing in our classroom.”
– Boston Public School Teacher
Students
Heightened Academic Enthusiasm
▪▪ 88% of students surveyed showed they were more
likely to work hard in school.
“Thompson Island gave me motivation to be more interested
in science. I am now determined to learn more about science
and interact with others more.”
Carrie, 7th Grade, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Hyde Park, MA
Greater Appreciation of Themselves and the
value of Collaboration
▪▪ 91% of students stated they were more likely
to show respect to their classmates and teachers.
“I learned to be a better person and to help others.
Thompson Island helped me believe in myself and
become a leader.”
Maria, 6th Grade, Orchard Gardens K-8 School, Roxbury, MA
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