10/30/2008 5:02:00 AM New program to lower dropout rate
By LACEY MCLAUGHLIN Staff Reporter
Teachers involved in new dropout prevention program aimed at children in the northern part of the county say they hope to have the students ready for the 8th grade by May.
The Bridges fast-track program, housed inside the Madison County Alternative School, is a new endeavor by the county school district to combat the dropout rate, which last year was 10.7 percent.
The Madison County program is an effort for parents, and administrators to step in early and keep at-risk students from giving up on school.
The program is designed for students in 6th or 7th grade who are two or more grades behind. The program has a narrow focus on social studies, math, science, and language arts. The goal of the program is to return the students to his or her home school the next year with skills to succeed.
Dr. Pollia Griffin, assistant superintendent for federal programs, said that the program takes out elective classes such as art, and physical education to focus on the core classes that the students need the most help in.
The teachers focus on direct teaching and smaller class sizes allow students to receive more direct attention.
"We have two dynamite teachers who are passionate about education," Griffin said.
Griffin also said that falling behind can cause self esteem issues for students and the program focuses on encouraging their progress.
"The students understand that they now stand a chance," she said. "Graduation is no longer this obscure unattainable thing."
Abby Webly, principal of the Alternative School, said there are many variables that determine students who are more likely to drop out of schools. Some of these variables include frequent absenteeism, behavior problems, a turbulent home life, or lack of support when they start to fall behind in class.
"Unfortunately a lot of students fall through the cracks," Webley said.
Webley said that being surrounded by peers who are going through the same circumstances makes for an environment in which the students feel comfortable and at ease.
"They don't have to be embarrassed about asking questions," Webley said.
The overall success of the program will be determined when the students return to their home schools next fall. In order to start the 8th grade the students must be at a proficient reading level and take a curriculum based exit exam.
Ronnie McGehee, assistant ssuperintendent of Madison County Schools, said the program has been five or six years in the making.
"This is an opportunity for students as a whole to find solutions for progress," McGehee said. "By giving the students direct contact they have an opportunity to work their way back into the system."
The focused effort to prevent students from dropping out of school is part of a statewide initiative called "Get on the Bus," a program started by the Mississippi Department of Education.
The program's goal is to cut the state's 26.6 drop out rate in half by 2013.
Madison County was also one of 10 counties which received a grant from the Nissan plant for dropout prevention earlier this year. The $100,000 grant was divided among the counties in accordance with the dropout rate of each. Dr. Griffin said Madison County received approximately $5,000.
The monies will go toward dropout prevention rallies and programs. Madison County will host a rally on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Camden Elementary School.
Registration for the event starts at 8:15 a.m.
The general session will start at 9 a.m. and the event will end at 12 noon.
Parents, students, teachers, and local officials will take part in identify the needs of the county during the rally, along with preventive strategies and interactive educational sessions. Participants will be served refreshments and lunch.
