DCPS develops strategies to increase student achievement
Brittany Hutson/Contributing writer
Issue date: 10/19/08 Section: Student Life
"In today's economy, an education is more important than it has ever been," said Bill Albert, chief program officer of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. "It's critical that we do what we can to help teen parents stay in school. The question for educators is what we can do to help this person succeed academically?"
The bill mirrors new efforts in the District's public school system, introduced by Education Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Rhee has created an Office of Youth Engagement for at-risk students, including teen mothers. OYE specialists work individually with each student to determine the best learning environment for them.
"We're developing new initiatives for pregnant teens which will be announced in the near future," said assistant press secretary for Rhee, Jennifer Calloway, in a statement. "Our philosophy and programming is guided by the belief that girls who are pregnant should attend school as late as medically advisable before delivery, and come back to school as soon as possible."
The progress of DCPS is being closely observed by community leaders and members.
"The District's public schools do not have a firm policy or procedures in place to support pregnant and parenting teens," said Gloria Mobley, program manager for D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. "If a pregnant or parenting teen has to leave school, they are treated as a home visitation student."
The home visitation process is not nearly as rigorous nor does it mentor or mirror what is actually going on in the classroom, Mobley stressed.
Donald Isaac, executive director of the East of the River Clergy Police Community Partnership, also argues that school system as a whole does not serve young people well.
"We need intervention efforts," he said, offering his support of the federal bill's mission. Isaac said that when young people do not perform well in school, it leads to juvenile arrests that can cost up to $40,000 per person, per year.
"You could spend a lot less money on the front end for intervention but for some reason, policy makers and legislators in this country have been unwilling to make the commitment to concepts and to follow them," Isaac said.
Heard was determined to buck the statistics. She delivered a baby girl, Zyaire, two weeks before winter break. When school resumed, she went back to McKinley. Not only did she earn her high school diploma, but she also won an annual $3,000 scholarship from Trinity.
Heard attributes the high teen pregnancy rate in the District to an inadequate sex education curriculum.
"They don't talk about preventing pregnancy, or using condoms or birth control," said Heard. "I think it has to do with kids not having the information. The board of education needs to step their game up."
The bill mirrors new efforts in the District's public school system, introduced by Education Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Rhee has created an Office of Youth Engagement for at-risk students, including teen mothers. OYE specialists work individually with each student to determine the best learning environment for them.
"We're developing new initiatives for pregnant teens which will be announced in the near future," said assistant press secretary for Rhee, Jennifer Calloway, in a statement. "Our philosophy and programming is guided by the belief that girls who are pregnant should attend school as late as medically advisable before delivery, and come back to school as soon as possible."
The progress of DCPS is being closely observed by community leaders and members.
"The District's public schools do not have a firm policy or procedures in place to support pregnant and parenting teens," said Gloria Mobley, program manager for D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. "If a pregnant or parenting teen has to leave school, they are treated as a home visitation student."
The home visitation process is not nearly as rigorous nor does it mentor or mirror what is actually going on in the classroom, Mobley stressed.
Donald Isaac, executive director of the East of the River Clergy Police Community Partnership, also argues that school system as a whole does not serve young people well.
"We need intervention efforts," he said, offering his support of the federal bill's mission. Isaac said that when young people do not perform well in school, it leads to juvenile arrests that can cost up to $40,000 per person, per year.
"You could spend a lot less money on the front end for intervention but for some reason, policy makers and legislators in this country have been unwilling to make the commitment to concepts and to follow them," Isaac said.
Heard was determined to buck the statistics. She delivered a baby girl, Zyaire, two weeks before winter break. When school resumed, she went back to McKinley. Not only did she earn her high school diploma, but she also won an annual $3,000 scholarship from Trinity.
Heard attributes the high teen pregnancy rate in the District to an inadequate sex education curriculum.
"They don't talk about preventing pregnancy, or using condoms or birth control," said Heard. "I think it has to do with kids not having the information. The board of education needs to step their game up."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
KnowMoreSayMore
KnowMoreSayMore
posted 10/20/08 @ 2:11 PM EST
Efforts like the GRADUATES Act are great - but they don't address the root issues.
As many as two-thirds of adolescents who become pregnant were sexually or physically abused some time in their lives. (Continued…)
kitty3075
kitty
posted 11/04/09 @ 6:20 AM EST
Teachers will be subject to revamped evaluations based in part on the new teaching and learning framework, which will deploy a corps of "master teachers" to join principals in assessing instructors. (Continued…)
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