NIMITZ HIGH SCHOOL TAPPS PROGRAM MENTORING PROJECT

The Issue at Hand The U.S. has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the industrialized world. The U.S. has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the industrialized world. Texas has the 3rd highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation. Texas has the 3rd highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation. New Mexico: now 2 nd Mississippi: now 1 st New Mexico: now 2 nd Mississippi: now 1 st Pregnant & Parenting Students Pregnant & Parenting Students Irving ISD Irving ISD Nimitz High School – 73 Nimitz High School – 73 2 nd highest out of 5 high school campuses 2 nd highest out of 5 high school campuses

Why do we care? Pregnancy/Parenthood is #1 reason female students drop out of school. Pregnancy/Parenthood is #1 reason female students drop out of school. Teenage parents are… Teenage parents are… less likely to get a H.S. diploma less likely to get a H.S. diploma less likely to go to college. less likely to go to college. more likely to rely on welfare more likely to rely on welfare more likely to be a single parent more likely to be a single parent Babies of teenage parents are… Babies of teenage parents are… more likely to live in poverty more likely to live in poverty more likely to have trouble in school more likely to have trouble in school more likely to get abused or neglected more likely to get abused or neglected

Outcomes Nimitz had 73 TAPPS students in Nimitz had 73 TAPPS students in As of September 2008… As of September 2008… 29 Active (40%)‏ 29 Active (40%)‏ 19 promoted 19 promoted 10 retained 10 retained 44 Inactive (60%)‏ 44 Inactive (60%)‏ 17 graduated 17 graduated 11 dropped out 11 dropped out 16 moved/transferred 16 moved/transferred

Outcomes Positive 49% Positive 49% 19 promoted + 17 graduated 19 promoted + 17 graduated Negative 29% Negative 29% 10 retained + 11 dropped out 10 retained + 11 dropped out Unknown 22% Unknown 22% 16 moved/transferred 16 moved/transferred

Problems Experienced by TAPPS students Finances – housing, food, daycare, transportation, job Finances – housing, food, daycare, transportation, job Academic – barriers to attending tutoring, difficulty completing assignments Academic – barriers to attending tutoring, difficulty completing assignments Lack of support system Lack of support system

TAPPS Mentoring Goals More student success More student success Grades Grades Attendance Attendance Graduation Graduation Higher education and employment Higher education and employment Personal goals Personal goals Healthy Relationships Healthy Relationships Everything is affected – social, emotional, physical, mental, educational Everything is affected – social, emotional, physical, mental, educational

How to get started… Hopefully each teacher will be assigned one student. Hopefully each teacher will be assigned one student. We need male and female teachers/faculty members to sign up and commit to once a week. We need male and female teachers/faculty members to sign up and commit to once a week. If you have someone in mind let me know-I will be assigning students as soon as possible. If you have someone in mind let me know-I will be assigning students as soon as possible.

What is expected from you the teacher Meet with your student at least once a week for at least 30 minutes each meeting. Meet with your student at least once a week for at least 30 minutes each meeting. Track your hours/activities Track your hours/activities Student must sign-in each time you meet and put a total time down. Student must sign-in each time you meet and put a total time down. Most students are failing in the TAPPS program, currently I only have 4 students passing all subjects-tutoring is key! Most students are failing in the TAPPS program, currently I only have 4 students passing all subjects-tutoring is key!

What to expect continued... Work with student one-on-one building a trusting and consistent relationship. Work with student one-on-one building a trusting and consistent relationship. We are not here to solve their problems, but we can encourage them to succeed along the way. We are not here to solve their problems, but we can encourage them to succeed along the way. We are also not here to give them advice based on our beliefs, but again encourage them. We are also not here to give them advice based on our beliefs, but again encourage them.

Examples of activities to do with students 1 st few times together: introduction, get-to- know you 1 st few times together: introduction, get-to- know you See what their needs are: most are tutoring See what their needs are: most are tutoring Casey Life Skills (Modules online to print out)‏ Casey Life Skills (Modules online to print out)‏ Papa Curriculum (Approved by Attorney General)‏ Papa Curriculum (Approved by Attorney General)‏ Make things life applicable Make things life applicable

More ideas In another mentoring group things they did: In another mentoring group things they did: Vision Boards: visualize goals, how will they achieve them, what type of person do they want to marry, kids, jobs, etc. Vision Boards: visualize goals, how will they achieve them, what type of person do they want to marry, kids, jobs, etc. Service: how will they give back to the community (ex: buy something, donate something)‏ Service: how will they give back to the community (ex: buy something, donate something)‏

More ideas cont... Rewards: they journaled and every time they brought their journals they got a treat Rewards: they journaled and every time they brought their journals they got a treat The idea was from the book/movie: The Secret The idea was from the book/movie: The Secret Read a book together, journal ideas, encourage growth, understanding values, self-esteem, healthy relationships, guys how to treat girls and vice versa. Read a book together, journal ideas, encourage growth, understanding values, self-esteem, healthy relationships, guys how to treat girls and vice versa.

Be careful Giving your beliefs or views: I always instead use facts and statistics. Giving your beliefs or views: I always instead use facts and statistics. Its okay to share but know when to stop Its okay to share but know when to stop We are not counselors We are not counselors We do not provide money, transportation, babysitting, etc. We do not provide money, transportation, babysitting, etc. If there are services they may need-they need to talk to me If there are services they may need-they need to talk to me

Conclusion I know this program is still pretty new, I do not have all the answers but will learn just as you do, what works and what does not work. I know this program is still pretty new, I do not have all the answers but will learn just as you do, what works and what does not work. Overall I want these students to experience a caring environment, consistency with an older, wiser adult, and feel encouraged to succeed. Good luck and let me know if you have questions. Overall I want these students to experience a caring environment, consistency with an older, wiser adult, and feel encouraged to succeed. Good luck and let me know if you have questions.