The International Observatory on Academic Achievement - Documentary search

File number :
PPEE-DSC-03e

Bibliographic reference :
Lever, N., Sander, M.A., Lombardo, S., Randall, C., Axelrod, J., Rubenstein, M., & Weist, M.D. (2004). A Drop-Out Prevention Program for High-Risk Inner-City Youth. Behavior Modification, 28(4), 513-527.

Abstract :

Theoretical Bases
The authors of this American study report that one out of three young Americans 14 to 17 years of age is at risk, with risk defined as having low probabilities of graduating, finding employment, effectively parenting, or being able to participate in political processes. They also add that inner-city youths are likely to experience high levels of life stress, poverty and exposure to violence. Several outcomes are associated with these characteristics, including school dropout. Considering these facts, the authors stress the importance of initiatives undertaken to develop and implement prevention programs.

Program Description
Created in 1988, the Maryland’s Tomorrow Program, also known as the FUTURES Program in the Baltimore area, is aimed at preventing school dropout among at-risk youths and fostering post-graduation transition into postsecondary education or employment. The program is based on the cooperation of various community organizations, including employment training services and the business community. The program is designed to monitor ninth graders for five years.

The components of the program include basic skills enhancement, work experience, motivation and leadership development, student academic and psychosocial support, and transition services.

The students who participated in the project attended smaller classes, were provided with professional services and took part in various orientation workshops, including cultural enrichment, employment preparedness and career development activities. In addition, they were each assigned a counsellor, whose role was to provide support, encouragement and advice to students, and foster their active participation throughout the entire program.

Program Assessment
The program was applied in six Baltimore high schools, in which about 60 ninth graders were identified as being at risk at the beginning of each school year. According to the researchers, the program helped reduce the school dropout rate. For instance, for the years 1998-1999 and 1999-2000, the school dropout rates were 6.28% and 5.12% respectively for at-risk students who participated in the program, and 10.98% and 8.94% respectively for all the students from the area. What is more, 85.2% of program participants who graduated (school year 1999-2000) were in college or vocational school, or employed. Lastly, the authors claim that the professional services provided to the participants helped reduce students’ behavioural and emotional problems considerably.

Links :
This journal is also available in electronic format.

Key Words :
At-risk Students, Adjustment Difficulties, Socio-economic Status, Violence, Prevention, School-based Prevention Program, Inner-city Environment, Learning Difficulties, Behavioural Problems, Emotional Problems, Community Involvement, Longitudinal Study, Quantitative Analysis, Secondary/High School

Monitored Countries :
United States