Delta corps members rally around the need for strong leaders in the classrooms, schools, and local communities. The achievement gap in the Delta is palpable, with children facing the dual obstacles of attending public schools that are performing sub-par compared to other schools in the state, and living in one of the most economically depressed areas of our nation. One-third of the population lives below the poverty line and more than one-third (and as high as 60 percent in some areas) of its residents do not hold high school diplomas or GEDs. On average, only 10 percent of low-income eighth-graders score proficient in math, and only 12.5 percent in reading, on national exams.
With private schools serving middle- to upper-income students, and its public schools serving mainly lower-income students, Delta children are educated in a system that is largely segregated along race and class lines.
Motivated by the evident injustices and the prospect for collective impact, dedicated corps members quickly become key players in school-wide reform efforts. There is ample opportunity for teachers to play a part in thoughtful efforts to improve the schools, as most Delta teachers have reasonable latitude in constructing or enriching their own curricula. Corps members have been the primary driving forces behind a remodeled library in Moorhead, Miss., a renovated keyboard lab in Hughes, Ark., trips abroad for students, a brand new soccer league, and a cross country team. Corps members in Marianna, Ark. and Indianola, Miss. raised their own funds to start an after-school program for their students. Across the Delta, corps members and alumni serve as department chairpersons, extra-curricular leaders, and sports team coaches. The Delta community holds teachers and the Teach For America mission and members in high esteem, and there is therefore much opportunity to take on leadership positions in the schools and communities.
| School Districts: (Arkansas) |
|---|
| Helena/West Helena School District |
| Hughes School District |
| Lakeside School District |
| Lee County School District |
| Marvell School District |
| Forrest City School District |
| KIPP: Delta College Preparatory Schools | School Districts: (Mississippi) |
| Coahoma County School District |
| Greenville Public Schools |
| North Bolivar School District |
| Leland School District |
| Indianola School District |
| Quitman County Schools |
| Sunflower County School District |
| West Tallahatchie School District |
| Ethnic Breakdown-Student Population (Combined Ark. and Miss. Public Schools) |
| 88% African-American |
| 11% Caucasian |
| <1% Latino/Hispanic |
| <1% Asian-American |
| <1% Native American |
| <1% Other |
| Ethnic Breakdown-County Population (Combined Ark. and Miss. Counties) |
| 63% African-American |
| 35% Caucasian |
| <1% Latino/Hispanic |
| <1% Asian-American |
| <1% Native American |
| <1% Other |
| Percentage of Students Qualifying for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch |
| 89% |
| Placements |
| 37% elementary teachers |
| 63% secondary teachers |
| 91% teach at a school with another corps member or alumnus |
K-12 grade level placements
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Our corps members
Placement regions
Corps and Alumni
