School Connectedness

Facts:

By high school, some 40 to 60 percent of all students are chronically disengaged from school. That number does not include those who have already dropped out. What can be done? First, recognize that people connect with people. Relationships formed between students and school staff members are at the heart of connectedness. Please see these resources.

http://www.jhsph.edu/mci/resources/Exec%20Summary%20R3.pdf.

http://www.schoolmediation.com/newsletters/2007/11_07.html.

Please view this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM1gEAVSwyI.


The components of connectedness.

Research has taught us that second only to family, school is the most important stabilizing force in the lives of young people. For children who often feel “like the new kid on the block,” having someone to sit with at lunch, a teacher who helps them catch up on class material they missed in transfer or a coach who finds a way to incorporate them into a team—even after the season begins—is vital to their success. How could it be achieved?

http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/training/connect/school_pg9.html

MSTA-HCR Strategies

Our work should be focused on keeping at-risk (only) minority students in school and help them graduate eventually. We believe that having these students connected to schools would be the key. There are some strategies:

These students need school more than anyone. Opportunities should be made available for these kids to stay in school for different reasons as well as activities. A basketball club would allow many of them to gather, socialize, or otherwise bond positively to schools. A homework club could further enhance their abilities academically.

Positive messages should be communicated to them. A trained mentor could show them the ropes to good studying habits, advantages of following school rules, and simply how to behave in a school. These students could also be welcomed to a “Brothers or Sisters Club”. These clubs should be focused on processes that could help seeing “hope” in graduation, and working hard for an American life.