The Week of 09/16/13
I read a great article this week, but I am hesitant about how useful it will be for me as I proceed on this course. It is from the National Association of Secondary School Principals and it is entitled "Freshman Transition Programs: Long-Term and Comprehensive. It makes a point to say that transition programs need to be more than a one-day orientation showing students around the building and all that. It was interesting to read that this organization advocates the implementation of a year-long course where freshmen are taught "mentoring, life skills and information about why school and learning are important."
As great as a year-long course sounds, I don't believe it is feasible in the current financial situation our district finds itself in. There were some great ideas though. The takeaway from this article for me is how important the relationship that is fostered between staff members and students is towards retaining those students and seeing them through to graduation. The top three factors for dropping out, according to Lan and Lanthier, are poor school performance, attitude towards school, and relationships with teachers. I absolutely believe that the latter can drastically alter the former. When we develop a program here at BHS, I am certain that a key component of it needs to be that relationship piece between students and staff.
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