Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Melinda Ratchford

Committee Member

Anne Joslin

Committee Member

Maryellen Maher

Keywords

Mentors/Adolescent Parents/Pregnancy/Dropout Prevention

Abstract

This study examined the effects of teacher-mentors on the Teen Mother Support Program (TMSP), an in-school program designed to support teen mothers. Major objectives of the TMSP are to increase attendance, lower school dropout rates, and reduce repeat pregnancies among teen mothers.

The purpose of the study was to implement a teacher-mentor model as a component of the TMSP, and assess its effectiveness in achieving TMSP objectives. The 27-week study was conducted according to a training model designed by Margaret Waller and addressed three research questions:

1. To what extent will the implementation of a mentoring component in the TMSP be effective in increasing the attendance rate of teen mothers in the program?

2. To what extent will the implementation of a mentoring component in the TMSP be effective in reducing the dropout rate of teen mothers in the program?

3. To what extent will the implementation of a mentoring component in the TMSP be effective in reducing repeat pregnancies among teen mothers in the program?

The study followed best practice fundamentals for youth mentoring: recruitment, information and selection, 16 hours of initial training, supervision of mentor matches, mentor support and continued training, and evaluation. The effectiveness of the implementation was measured by data comparison for mentored teen mothers for the prior 3 years.

Results revealed the following improvements for the mentored teen mothers: Attendance was increased, and dropout and repeat pregnancy rates were reduced. Findings suggest that teachers have great value as mentors in providing a social support network that reduces teen mothers' school isolation and increases their school connectedness. These factors can be related directly to improved academic achievement that, in turn, can increase the likelihood of a better life outcome for the teen mothers and their families.

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