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