Email
Print
Zero dropouts: Goal of mentoring program
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 28, 2009
Even though student dropouts are steadily decreasing in the Mooresville Graded School District, officials have implemented a new preventative strategy that they hope will bring the number to zero.
"We have a low dropout rate, and it's been dropping," Supt. Mark Edwards said Tuesday. "But even one dropout is too much."
As one of several prevention methods being utilized by the district, the new Change A Life Mentor Program seeks to pair students with adults from the community who can provide the encouragement some children need in order to be successful.
"We believe that caring adults can have a huge impact on the trajectory of many students," said Bill Parker, executive director of secondary education and career technical education. "The mentoring program is just one of our many strategies to address drop outs and prevention as well as promote student achievement."
Added Parker, "The seeds of dropping out, they don't just start in the ninth grade or high school. They start sometimes as early as third grade. We want to be proactive and provide additional support to our students there."
With a number of students in need throughout the district, from grades one through 12, Parker said the MGSD would like to have at least 10 mentors at each school, or 80 in total. Currently there are between 20 and 25 mentors, and with a one-to-one ratio for the program, less than half of the identified students are reaping its benefits.
"We are really looking at the community, those persons who are caring and have the opportunity to be part of this solution," Parker added, noting that many business leaders and community members have already signed up. They include Edwards, Mooresville Police Chief Carl Robbins, several local ministers and others in organizations such as the NAACP and Las Amigas.
But more mentors are needed in order to reach all the students individually indentified by school counselors and administrators. Otherwise, those kids remain at risk for dropping out.
"We believe this effort will help strengthen and close the gap for those students," said Parker.
The program requires little more than time and effort from those adult mentors who participate, said Parker. Operating during the school day, he said the district asks at least one hour every two weeks from mentors – a full school year commitment is also asked – meeting with their selected child twice per month.
Reading to the student, joining him or her for a school project or even just sharing lunch with the child can help cultivate the desired relationship the program aims toward, said Parker.
"Someone committed to that time frame, but also to build a relationship with the young person and breathe that sense of encouragement," he added, saying mentors should be a "cheerleader" for the student, providing him or her with a desire to be successful in school.
With a strong belief that each adult can make a "tremendous difference" to one child, Parker said it was his own pairing with a student last school year that sparked this new program.
"He's done more for me than I probably have done for him," he said of the elementary school boy, noting that his teachers and the staff have made great strides in encouraging the young student. "The smile and the joy that I see and the success that he's gaining."
Parker said he'll remain a mentor as part of this year's program.
Edwards, who will also become a mentor, said he's looking forward to participating and hopefully aiding a district student.
"I really do believe that we will have mentors that will be a part of this program that will change lives. I certainly want to be a part of that and part of that team spirit," he said, noting that the program's participants are setting a great example for others who may join.
"It's a great way to give back," he said. "I'm just honored to have a chance to participate."
Noting that the impact of dropping out of school can go far beyond the classroom, Edwards said helping to prevent even one child from making that decision is key.
Parker agreed.
"We're just getting started," he said. "We believe that as we move along and word gets out … more persons will look at their schedule and make a commitment to a child.
We believe it will make a tremendous difference."
He added that businesses or organizations wanting to become involved can also do so by offering teenagers internships, apprenticeships or job shadowing experience through another district program, the Career Bridge Advisory Council.
"That would be very powerful in giving (the kids) hope," said Parker, noting that the Career Bridge program is available for groups – rather than individuals, as with the mentor program – or the business community who can help at the high school level.
For more information about these programs or to volunteer as a mentor, contact Parker at 704-658-2530. Also visit the district's Web site, www.mgsd.k12.nc.us, for additional information.
Email
Print
