|
Youth Leadership Classes are part of a neighborhood-based collaborative effort to improve the odds that low-income youth will graduate from high school and seek post-high school.
Idaho's high school graduation rate is lower than all but eight states, currently resting at 77.3% (Idaho Statesman, January 2016). The consequences of youth not graduating are far reaching and long-lasting. Students who do not graduate are frequently unprepared for the workplace.
These classes focus on low-income youth because this segment of our student population is especially at risk of dropping out and following a path of poor choices. The need is significant in the Treasure Valley because our population of low-income students is large and growing. Presently, 40% to 60% of our students (dependent upon county) come from low-income families, and at many schools over 80% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches (United Way of Treasure Valley, 2014 Assessment).
The program targets fifth and sixth grade youth because these students are at a critical time in their development. The transition from elementary school to the less structured junior high school setting is a time when they will be exposed to a multitude of negative influences. Several studies have shown that fifth and sixth grades are a "gateway," where students with low self-esteem and poor academics are nineteen times more likely to drop out of school as their peers (United Way of Treasure Valley, 2011 Assessment).
This collaborative effort is administered by the Treasure Valley YMCA. Partners include (1) principals and teachers at Grace Jordan, Jefferson, and Garfield Elementary Schools, (2) parents, (3) the Boise School District and (4) the Rotary Club of Boise Sunrise. Fifteen Boise Sunrise Rotarians participate in this effort by facilitating meetings, serving on Advisory Committees, presenting programs, and assisting at events.
The biweekly, interactive classes (fourteen at each school throughout the school year) focus on practicing leadership and team participation skills while enhancing each student's self-confidence and self-esteem. The sessions have proven to be highly successful. Monitoring has revealed substantial changes in students' school attendance, grades, and behaviors. (Monitoring results, Principals and Teachers reports, and a link to a class video are located in the Documents).
| 
