Date of Award
1-1-1991
Document Type
Dissertation - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Child and Youth Care Administration
Advisor
Joan Mignerey
Keywords
Mentoring, Mentors, Interpersonal Relationships, Teacher-Student Relationships, School-Business Relationships, Community-Schools.
Abstract
This practicum was designed to increase the attendance rate of at-risk students in an elementary school. The primary goal was to increase attendance for elementary students in grades three through five. The scope of the practicum was expanded to include community resource persons as volunteers. with the involvement of mentors, the second objective was to increase students' reading levels. The third objective was to develop staffs' awareness about intervention strategies. In setting up a mentoring program, the writer secured permission from the State Department of Education, local school district and school, oriented administrators and community personnel; established advisory attendance/mentoring committee; recruited volunteers to serve as mentors; planned and conducted orientation sessions for staff and volunteers; supervised and maintained the program; developed and administered evaluation components. The results of the practicum were positive in several aspects. Attendance increased while the community became more aware of the students' needs. Half of the 32 third through fifth grade students maintained or increased their attendance between the first 12 week period and the second 12 week period. Twenty of the students who participated in the program maintained or improved their grade point average. Third graders achieved the greatest progress in attendance and reading scores.