A student’s success depends on more than just academic learning; it’s also shaped by their health, access to enrichment opportunities, and the support of their family.
In this episode, host Jess Carter is joined by Shaina Cavazos, director of the Office of Education Innovation at the Indianapolis Mayor's Office. They discuss ConnectIndy, a program adapted from Boston College’s City Connects. The program addresses outside factors affecting students' learning potential without putting that burden on teachers.
Shaina discusses how every ConnectIndy school has a dedicated coordinator creating tailored plans to connect students and their families with the necessary resources, allowing teachers to focus on classroom instruction. She also highlights how ConnectIndy’s public data dashboard—the first of its kind for City Connects—empowers educators and enables policymakers to make decisions that benefit students holistically.
How ConnectIndy ensures that resources reach students who need them most
Why a public dashboard fosters transparency and drives action
How Indianapolis is using data to improve the education system
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