Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine | Page 19
The Drop-Out
Epidemic Begins
in Elementary
School
By Hillary Gramm, CIS Bay Area
[email protected]
As soon as a student is enrolled in a public school, they may
be flagged for being classified as at-risk for dropping out of
school. The Texas Education Agency determines a student is
at-risk through the following twelve factors:
1. Unsatisfactory performance on an assessment instrument
administered during the current school year beginning in
Kindergarten (Not just TAKS or STARR)
2. Did not maintain an average equivalent to 70 in 2 or more
foundation subjects
3. Was not advanced from one grade level to the next
4. Is pregnant or is a parent
5. Placed in an alternative education program
6. Has been expelled
7. Currently on parole, probation
8. Has already been reported to have dropped out
9. Student of limited English proficiency
10. Is in the custody or care of the Department of Protective
and Regulatory Services
11. Is homeless
12. Resided in the preceding school year or resides in the
current school year in a residential placement facility in
the district, including a detention facility, substance abuse
treatment facility, emergency shelter, psychiatric hospital,
halfway house, or foster group home
Students as young as three years old have challenges that
would prevent them from being successful in the classroom!
These students have yet to prove themselves academically, yet
have issues that can and will prevent them from graduating high
school. Fortunately, the drop-out rate continues to improve in
Clear Creek and Dickinson ISDs based on strategic programs
such as Communities In Schools – Bay Area to influence these
youth.
Since 1989, Communities In Schools – Bay Area, has
strategically worked to combat the troubles that lessen
the likelihood of a student becoming a statistic. CIS
counselors are on 14 campuses in Clear Creek and
Dickinson ISDs. Annually, our program works intensively
with over 1400 students. Principals, teachers, nurses, and
parents refer the most at-risk students. Individually, these
students work with a CIS counselor to identify his or her
needs and together they connect with the community
to ensure success. Our CIS counselors are placed in
elementary, intermediate and high schools where the
campus needs are highest.
Recently, a CIS counselor
worked with Maria, an
intermediate student. Maria’s
uninsured mom suffered
a stroke. Facing a family
financial crisis, Maria was
about to drop out of school.
Her CIS counselor was
able to provide long-term
support by directly assisting
with the following: academic support, utility payment
assistance, weekly food deliveries, financial assistance for
medication, waived team sports fees, warm clothing, and
her own bed and new bedding. Maria’s CIS counselor did
whatever it took to ensure that Maria stayed in school.
Communities In Schools – Bay Area keeps students on a
path of success through graduation and beyond. For more
information, visit our www.cisba.org and our Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/cisbayarea.
MOMENTUM / Summer 2016
19