Amie Little EDU 644 Child and Family Welfare

Amie Little EDU 644: Child and Family Welfare Assignment 4: School Based Efforts: A Plan to Support At-Risk Youth Instructor: Dr. Suhad Sadik Ashford University March 16, 2015

Introduction The role that I have assumed is the role of the teacher. I will give my presentation to the district administration. I have taken this role because I feel that school administrators need to know just as much as the principals and teachers about the students. My purpose of the presentation is to inform school administrators that they are there to also contribute to the students academic success.

Youth who are considered “at -risk” • Homeless or transient • Students with at least one disability • Children neglected at home • Abused sexually, physically, or emotionally • Come from low-income families • Children who live in stressful family environments (NCSE, 2014) • Children retained in school • Speak English less that “very well” (US Census Bureau, 2011).

Behaviors associated with being at risk (te. Achnology, 2014): • Excessively late for class or simply not attending class • Grades falling in school • Sexual Behaviors • Substance abuse • Unstructured free time • School drop out • Disruptive behaviors in school and Out (te. Achnology, 2014).

Short and long term implications of these behaviors on a student’s ability to achieve academic success (NCSE, n. d. ): Teen Pregnancy- The teen who is pregnant may not stay in school or she may wait to go back and it may be harder on her to achieve academic success. Drop out of school- A teen may drop out of school and never come back. substance abuse: Teen may get addicted to drugs, become homeless, and never get back into school

Solutions-Create a Framework (SFUSD, 2012): Create a Positive School Climate 1. School wide expectations are posted throughout the school, classroom expectation are posted in each classroom 2. Consistent consequences are clearly defined and communicated to all students and staff 3. A referral and communication system is in place for students who need support and resources related to behavioral issues e. g. SAP, SST

Solutions: Integrating a Framework (SFUSD, 2012): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Adults are in hallways, cafeteria and yard during transition times, lunch and after school to greet students and encourage safety and respect of school Opportunities are provided for all youth to build caring relationships with adults and peers, participate in meaningful ways, and successfully meet high expectations Student and school successes are regularly recognized (daily shoutouts, youth awards, peer appreciation board, student incentive systems). Youth have an opportunity to assist in school activity planning (e. g. giving activity ideas, participating in focus groups, youth surveys). Community building activities, community circles and youth forums are incorporated to give youth a fun and safe place to share information about themselves and learn about their peers Accomplishments , completed projects, and successes are show cased through school events/showcases, newsletters or bulletin boards.

Participant Activity The activity will include index cards with different scenarios of at risk children. This will be a small group project. I will issue the cards to each table and they will talk among themselves and come up with providing feedback regarding their own respective, potential role in supporting there schools efforts to create and integrate a framework for students at risk, potential solutions, and they will state how participants will interact, collaborate and share ideas to all that are in attendance. They will get about 30 -40 minutes to talk with each other and then give their small presentations as a group.

Resources: National Center for School Engagement (n. d. ). Truancy. Retrieved from http: //www. schoolengagement. org/index. cfm/Truancy National Center for School Engagement (2014) Youth who are at risk. Retrieved on March 12, 2015 from https: // SFUSD (2012). Positive School Climate: Background & overview. Retrieved on March 11, 2015 from http: //healthiersf. org/resources/pubs/SCB-Chapter%20 A. pdf The Heritage Foundation (2015). Parental Involvement and Children's Well-Being. Retrieved on March 13, 2015 from https: //www. family facts. org/briefs/40/parental-involvement-and-children'swell-being te. Achnology ( 2014). Who are at risk? How do we help them? Retrieved from http: //www. teachnology. com/ed/leadership/at_risk US Census Bureau (2011). Retrieved on March 13, 2015 from http: //www. census. gov/population/documentation/twps 0052. html