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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - AT RISK STUDENT PGM (2)AGENDA REPORT �3 Cl y Manager Approval Item to be presented by: Rick Put NEW BUSINESS DATE: March 22, 1994 SUBJECT: AT -RISK STUDENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation and Community Services Working toward the betterment of at -risk youth in the community and recognizing that the current process of crime prevention education and recreation have been less than successful, City staff Is working with the William S. Hart School District, the Los Angeles County Board of Education and the private sector in exploring a non-traditional curriculum, alternative recreational and life style options. This program will focus on youth who require special assistance in adjusting to and/or completing senior high school. The purpose of this agenda report is to solicit input from Council and seek direction to move forward with this program in cooperation with the involved agencies. This is not a request for funding nor specific project approval. BACKGROUND In an attempt to identify alternative educational, recreational and vocational programs for at -risk youth, the City and William S. Hart School District officials met several months ago to consider viable options to this issue. As a result of this meeting and several subsequent meetings, the high school principals and City staff prepared an outline which allows the City, District, County and private sector to work together to implement an educational/work oriented program with the following goals: A) To plan a program that would result in at -risk students receiving a high school education, diploma, career planning, job skills and training in attitude, self-esteem development and job placement. B) To offer life and career path alternatives that result In decreased criminal activity for at -risk students, thereby reducing the amount of money annually spent on law enforcement, incarceration, etc. Special details of each agency's participation have yet to be determined, however, it is anticipated that individual agencies will play key roles in the successful implementation of the program. Conceptually, the City's role would be to assist in the coordination of the program and provide recreational and vocational assistance. The City would also commit in-kind services such as staff, facilities and programs in addition to allocating $30,000 to $50,000 annually to cover work stipends, special projects, transportation, equipment, supplies, etc. The total estimated budget for the first year of the program will range between $115,000 and $150,000. The cooperating agencies with also pursue all available grant opportunities to supplement or supplant the annual operating budget. APPIUMED Ager,2a Item: AGENDA - At -Risk Student Partnership Program March 22, 1994 Page 2 The school district and County Board of Education will provide special instructors for the program, diverting state ADA funding to cover this cost. The private sector will be asked to provide work experience opportunities to round out this alternative program. PROGRAM A draft of the at -risk student partnership program and time line for development and implementation are attached. Jointly funded by participating agencies, this program aims to identify junior high students entering high school who have demonstrated a lack of motivation to achieve academically, or attend school regularly and/or have exhibited behavioral problems. This program would provide incentives to foster academic growth or to change unacceptable behavior. Criteria would be established and periodically measured to determine the success of this alternative program. Beginning with incoming ninth graders, the curriculum outlined would allow for first semester students to take two periods of educational curriculum and four periods of work/self-development training. In the second semester of ninth grade, students would attend three periods of educational curriculum and three periods of work and self development. The course curriculum will be designed to ultimately return the student to the traditional campus setting. Ideally, the location of the alternative program would be at a non-traditional school site or setting. Students will have an opportunity to work after school for a small stipend in order to gain a skill, knowledge and understanding about the professional world. It is our belief that early intervention will allow for increased opportunities and success in positively altering the behavior of these students. Details related to program implementation, budget, funding, location, parental involvement and identification of students remains in the planning stage and will be presented to the City Council, School District and other appropriate agencies at a later date. Participating agencies anticipate a September 1994 start date for the program. A report and presentation similar to this will be made to the William S. Hart School District on the evening of March 23, 1994. RECOMMENDATION That the City Council review, comment and endorse the City's participation in this cooperative effort. RP:dls counciRvNdpart.ry AT -RISK STUDENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM DRAFT Representatives of the City of Santa Clarita and the Wm. S. Hart Union High School District met February 4, 1994, to discuss and plan a+'strategy to address concerns identified with at -risk students. In attendance were Mike Allmandinger, Cheryl Brown, Paul Priesz, and Laury Strauss, four high school principals of the Wm. S. Hart Union High School District. Representing the City of Santa Clarita were Rick Putnam, Director of Recreation, and George Caravalho, City Manager. It was agreed that a partnership involving the City, the schools, businesses, and the general community must occur if issues related to at -risk students are to be resolved. The following outcomes are a result of the discussion and planning that occurred during this meeting. Goal: To plan a program that would result in at -risk students receiving a high school education, a diploma, career planning, job skills, training in attitude and self-esteem development, and job placement. 2. To offer a life and career path alternative that results in decreased crime activity for at -risk students, thereby reducing the amount of money annually spent on law enforcement, incarceration, etc. Component 1: Identify Students for this Program 9th grade students will be the target population junior high school staff will identify students and parents who they believe will derive benefits from participation in this special program students who exhibit a lack of desire to attend school, who have a home environment that inhibits their successful school progress will be identified and recruited. They and their parents must agree to unqualified participation, including parents signing a contract committing to their participation in a Parent Education program, and the student signing a contract committing to complete cooperation and participation. Component 2: Setting Program Expectations ' adults will establish expectations for students (coordinators, parents, etc.) ' student participants will establish expectations for themselves; they will identify what they expect from this program, including their level of commitment student and parent will sign a contract committing to full participation Component 3: The Program 'First Semester of 9th Grade The students will meet two periods at an off -campus location. The curriculum will complement the activities planned for each day. Following the two period course, the students will be engaged in work projects, adventure activities, exploration of career opportunities. Students will be monetarily compensated with a daily stipend ($5 per day) dependent on theirattendance and successful completion of the daily activities. Planned activities will include job skill training, community service, local business/agencies mentoring, adventure%xploration programs these activities will incorporate a focus on role modeling and providing opportunity to build student self-esteem. 'Second Semester of 9th Grade The students will attend two periods on the regular school campus in a program with carefully selected teacher(s) who will enhance the experiences of the first semester. Following these two periods, students will be involved in the program described in the first semester activities. Other topics discussed: 1. Begin with ten 9th crade students per high school (40 students). 2. All students in the program during the first semester will report to a central site/facility each day not located at a school. 3. Approximately three teachers will be employed for this program ($120,000). 4. There will be a transportation need ($4,000). 5. Supplies ($5,000), 6. Equipment ($25,000). 7. Student stipends ($40,000). S, Continue the program throughout the four years '10th Grade 3 periods on campus 3 periods off campus '11th Grade 4 periods on campus Job placement '12th Grade 4 periods on campus Job placement 9. Criteria will be established to effectively and objectively evaluate the success of this program over a four year period. The effort would begin by establishing baseline data. This paper is a draft. There are more information and logistics to be developed. Suggestions, changes, and new ideas are welcomed. jpradmin\atmk,mbtl DRAFT Implementation of At -Risk Partnership Program Link to Vision Goal: Implement At Risk Partnership Program - Fall 1994 # Activity Responsible Timeline Status 1. Produce general plan Sarah Napier 3/94 In Progress 2. Group meeting with partners- Rick Putnam 3/9/94 Completed Review draft of general plan and timeline 3. Present general plan to Santa Rick Putnam 3/22/94 Clarita City Council/School 4. Present general plan to Wm. S. Sarah Napier & 3/23/94 Hart Board of Education ARPP Committee 5. Present general plan to LACOE Lou Tabone Board of Education 6. Present general plan to partners At Risk 4/94 ' Valencia Industrial Center Partnership • Samuel Dixon Health Center Program Committee 7. Develop curriculum Hart Staff 3/4/94 8. Develop school schedule - ARPP 3/5/94 partners Committee 9. Hire Staff LACOE/Hart 4/94 Lou Tabone Sarah Napier 10. Inform and train staff on Hart/LACOE 4/94 implementing ARPP 11. Student Study Teams 6/94 recommend students to program 12. Present final plan to Hart ARPP 7/94 Board/partners Committee 13, Implement ARPP 9/94 RP:dls counc&counciP wdpe rp