Texas GEAR UP Promising Practice This program has been recognized as a Texas GEAR UP Promising Practice by the Texas Education Agency and Texas GEAR UP. The model is featured in the 2009 "Mentors, Mindsets & Role Models" toolkit designed to assist schools, districts, and community groups in their efforts to create or expand mentoring opportunities. All print materials are the property of the featured mentor programs and are not endorsed by the Texas Education Agency. The programs have generously donated their resources to help foster program replication and implementation. Materials are for informational purposes only. Mentors, Mindsets & Role Models COMMUNITY MENTORING Spring Woods High School GEAR UP Spring Branch, Texas

Experience the Impact of Becoming a Mentor Generously Supported by

A Mentor is… a caring adult who spends minutes weekly with a student “mentee” as an advocate, advisor, role model and friend.

Spring Branch ISD Texas Outperforming School District Region IV Honor Board of the Year 46 campuses Highly diverse student body Highest percentage of students graduating college ready in Houston area Focused on college readiness for all

Why Mentoring? The World is Flat

Why Mentoring? Houston Economic Data “Houston's prospects will now increasingly depend on the city’s ability to attract and retain the nation’s most skilled and creative “knowledge workers” and high-tech companies. “

THE RESTRUCTURED ECONOMY  The resource-based industrial-era economy has now re- ceded into history. It has been replaced by an increasingly high-tech, worldwide, knowledge-based economic system.  The traditional “blue collar path” to financial security has largely disappeared. Most good-paying jobs today require high levels of technical skills and educational credentials.  In the 2006 survey, 77% disagreed that “a high school education is enough to get a good job.” In 2007, 61% of area residents agreed that “there are very few good jobs in today’s economy for people without a college education.”  In the new, increasingly unequal, knowledge-based econ- omy, “What you earn depends on what you have learned.”

FIGURE 16: THE PROPORTIONS IN FOUR AGE GROUPS WHO ARE ANGLO, BLACK, LATINO, AND ASIAN OR OTHER ( , COMBINED) (N=621) (N=854) (N=938) (N=674)

FIGURE 17: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IN FIVE HOUSTON COMMUNITIES ( ) Asian Immigrants US Born Anglos US Born Blacks US Born Latinos Latino Immigrants (N=1029) (N=5353) (N=5210) (N=2462) (N=2976)

Why Mentoring? Bowling Alone

Why Mentoring? Developmental Assets

The SBISD Mentoring Process Mentor Identification & Training Student Assembly & Identification Parent Permission Mixer Event Match Events Flexibility built-in

Expectations of Mentors Weekly Visit or fax when visit is not possible One school year commitment But we hope you stay longer!

Experience the Impact of Becoming a Mentor Generously Supported by

Texas median household income is 10 percent lower than the average for the 10 most populousstates.

Texas’ higher participation rate is lower than a decade ago, and lower than comparable states such as New York, California, Michigan and Illinois. education

Annual household is expected to decline by an estimated $30-40 billion by income

Texas seeks to close the gaps by increasing the number of degrees, certificates and other successesby 2015.identifiable

65.8% limited English proficient The Facts: Spring Woods High School 1923 students 81.1% minority 11.8% economically disadvantaged 18.4% mobility rates Limited exposure to college for some Lack of parent participation for low income kids Some lack life experiences 59.9% at risk of not graduating from high school

Mentors help teach our children about Support Empowerment Boundaries Expectations Constructive use of time

Mentors help teach our children about Commitment to learning Positive values Social competencies Positive identity

Students with Mentors… Develop a positive attitude towards school Improve in grades, behavior and attendance Are more responsible Are more enthusiastic Exhibit more self-control Exhibit decreased hostility Strengthen interactions with peers

Schools with Mentoring Programs Experience… Improved campus climate Happier teachers Reduced campus discipline problems More students focused on positives More resources for community Better understanding of their students

Mentors Receive training first Meet once per week with mentee for 45 minutes Communicate by when a visit is not possible Commit to school year time frame for mentoring Are not tutors

Mentors help supply the gift of hope to those they touch

They provide a way to… glimpse eternity

I can stand on mountains

To walk on stormy seas

I am on your shoulders

…more than I can be

Advocate Advisor Role model Mentor Friend Guide Supporter Encourager Ally