Increasing the Level of Education: the STEP UP Program
Rationale: Similar to other urban core areas in the United States, in Kansas City, Kansas the majority of high school students drop out of school before reaching graduation, making it difficult to obtain gainful employment and become successful adults. A critical point in the education of our youth is the transition from middle school to high school. During this transition, youth are vulnerable to peer pressure increasing the potential of teen pregnancy, involvement with alcohol and drugs, and affiliations with gangs, all which dramatically reduce their chances for graduation.
Program Description: The STEP UP Program - Striving Toward Excellent Performance with Unlimited Potential - is a new program at J. C. Harmon High School in Argentine. Harmon is serving over 1,300 students this year and has a diverse population with 70% being minority. The population is low income with 80% of students eligible for free or reduced cost lunch.
The STEP UP program is staffed by 5, half-time, KU graduate students and a full-time, social worker (3.5 FTEs). They have begun working with the freshmen at Harmon and their families. To be eligible for the program, students are identified by teachers as at risk of school failure, e.g. has had unexcused absences, suspension, pregnancy. STEP UP will work with individual students and families to identify the reasons for poor attendance (e.g., transportation, work, care of siblings or their own child, family difficulties, fear) and assist in reducing the obstacles to school success. In addition, STEP UP will develop a plan with additional community partners to provide resources for common problems (e.g. organizations providing services to pregnant and parenting teens).
STEP UP works directly with the principal who had identified the lack of parental involvement as another significant problem for Harmon. Rosedale Middle School is one of the feeder schools for Harmon. The School of Social Welfare has operated youth programs in Rosedale for the past 7 years (the Saturday Academy and TREE were both begun with funding from H&R Bloch) and has established relationships with families of Harmon students. STEP UP will work with the Rosedale programs and enlist the support of these families in developing strategies to address school involvement.
Major Program Objectives :
- Improve school attendance and, thus, performance.
- Increase the attachment to and investment in Harmon on the part of families and students by organizing events and providing a mini-grant program for students volunteering to perform activities that will benefit the school.
- Develop resources and improve access to existing resources.
- Assure transportation for parents to enable participation.
- Organize celebratory events to recognize families, students, and teachers making special contributions.
- Continue planning with several disciplines from the KU School of Nursing and Allied Health related to the provision of special classes and activities on subjects such as health, communication skills, and child development.
- Continue planning with the KU Department of Journalism related to a student produced newsletter and possible news releases.