MODEL PROGRAMS AND BEST PRACTICES

Model Programs and Best Practices That Have Demonstrated Success in Keeping Students in School

Abstract

This research will try to explore the concept of “model programs and best practices” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is about the issues related to students' lack of interest in school and studies and their absenteeism and finally dropped out of school. My purpose will be to explore model programs and best practices that have demonstrated success in keeping students in school in spite of their severe barriers to educational attainment ?and to share those results with teachers and administrators at the Jurupa Unified School District.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Introduction4

Title of the Study4

Problem Statement4

Background of the Study4

Significance of the Study5

Proposed Methodology6

Purpose of the Study7

Chapter Two: Literature Review8

Programs: Alternatives to Traditional Education8

Theoretical Framework8

Common Elements of Successful Programs9

Model Programs10

Alternative Schooling Is Needed in Jurupa Unified School District11

Alternative Schooling in Jurupa Unified School District12

Expected Benefits16

Key Elements of Successful Programs17

Going Above and Beyond19

Additional Opportunities20

After-School Approach20

The Personal Touch21

Administrative Additions21

Factors That Place Students at Risk23

The Role Of Career And Vocational Education In Motivation23

Characteristics Of Successful Programs25

Recommendations for Program Development26

Recommendations for Structuring Classrooms28

Teaching Style28

Curriculum28

Students' Learning Style29

Classroom Organization And Management29

Evaluation And Assessment29

Chapter Three: Methodology33

Qualitative Research33

Research Method34

Literature Selection Criteria34

Search Technique34

Theoretical Framework35

References36

Chapter One: Introduction

Title of the Study

“Model Programs and Best Practices That Have Demonstrated Success in Keeping Students in School”

Problem Statement

Many of my students who come from socio-economically disadvantaged homes throughout their childhood do not further their education. Many fall into a life of gangs ? drugs ? get pregnant at an early age ? and drop out of school. Many of these students have attendance problems ? and generally don't seem to take school seriously. My research will be geared toward helping to solve this problem ? and making new policy to combat this problem.

Background of the Study

Model programs and best practices are not really a new concept to the American scene. As early as colonial America ? we saw education in a variety of ways conducted by the wealthy or offered to the general population by the wealthy or by religious groups. Koetke (1999) discusses these early educational opportunities and how these early experiences led to the two basic systems we have today. The two varieties consist of educational opportunities "outside the system" and those "inside the system." Among the types of alternative school opportunities outside the system are the elite and costly private schools ? the schools with a religious orientation ? and the recently revived home schools. The model programs and best practices described by Koetke as inside the system are those that generally serve a special population ? such as students with unique learning interests or disabilities ? (Fennimore 1988) teenage parents ? potential dropouts ? violent individuals ? or court-adjudicated youths and those in juvenile detention systems.

I work at a school where someone other than a parent raises most of my students. Many are on free or reduced lunch. Over half of my students would be the first to ...