At Risk Youth and Their Lives! University of North Florida Dawn Peddle Shelley Williams

“Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.”

What is Culture?

Who is At Risk? Single parent home Member of a minority group Limited English proficiency Low- socioeconomic status Performing poorly/failing in school Handicapped Mentally/ Physically Environment

Statistics… High dropout rate among “minority” population 25% of 10-17year olds at risk 25% of the remaining population are at moderate risk 5% to 10% of all young people are in a gang 1.5% of all pregnancies involve youth under 19 55% of Black High School Graduates compared to White

Barriers To Success… Truck

Student Success DOES NOT DEPEND ON – Class Size – Years of teacher experience – Academic preparation of teachers DOES DEPEND ON – Caring adults – Social integration – School size –Classroom management

Family Environment Counts Relationship with parent(s) protects against health risk behaviors Parents available at key times during the day Parental expectations for school completions Parental expectations for risk behaviors

Student Success at Boys Ranch Collaborating = Student Success ***TEAM*** Parents, Family Social Worker, Program Director, Unit Director, Cottage Parents, Youth Care Specialist, Teachers, Employer and etc.

ANSWERS??? Strong Leadership Consistent Discipline Experienced Based Education Cooperative Learning Groups/ Peer Teaching Careful monitoring of all student progress Avoid Tracking Community Development

Risk  Resilience Overcoming/ bouncing back Importance of assets Reducing negative outcomes “ Ultimately, we want more for our families and youth than survival we want them to thrive, that is to flourish in society.”

The Five C’s ASSETS OF YOUTH Caring and Compassion Character Competence in academic, social & vocational arena Confidence Connection

REFERENCES Astrotn, Kirk. (1993). Are youth at risk. Journal Extension. 31. Shults, Phillip. (2004) Personal Interview on November 8, 2004 Prater,Maryanne & Teramae, Stacie. (1995) Cultural Diversity and At- Risk Students. An Instructional Module. Educational Improvement Fund Project Report Cultural Diversity and Early Education. (2004). Retrieved November 13, room/books/earlyed/chapter1. room/books/earlyed/chapter1 Gibson, David. (2003) Reducing the Risk: Factors that Improve Resiliency in youth. Retrieved on November 13, 2004 from