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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Laurie King, Director of Communication and Learning Systems
602-372-3704
laurie.king@mcesa.maricopa.gov
For
Maricopa County School Superintendent Tackles School Disengagement
New mentoring program focuses on connecting students to their school community
Recent news stories
have highlighted that chronic absenteeism is a major issue in U.S. schools.
According to data released by the U.S. Department of Education, 13 percent of
U.S. students are chronically absent from school (Civil Rights Data Collection,
2013-2014), meaning they miss more than 15 days of school each year. In Maricopa County, the average is 16
percent –just over four students in every classroom missing more than 15 days
of school a year.
Maricopa County has
traditional (non-alternative) public schools that struggle with chronic absenteeism
rates as high as 63 percent, almost
five times the national average. Some alternative schools are dealing with
student chronic absentee rates above 80 percent. These youth need additional
support to overcome the complex circumstances that cause chronic absenteeism.
"Common sense
tells us that if a student isn't in school, that student will not learn, no
matter how skilled and dedicated the teacher is," said Dr. Don Covey, Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools.
Chronic absenteeism is
often a symptom of a student being disengaged from the school community. If a
student has not made a significant connection with a teacher, staff, other
students, or an activity, he/she is more likely to stay out of school.
School disengagement is something Covey and the
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors take very seriously and have worked this
past year to address.
In October 2015, the
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors entered into an agreement with
Superintendent Covey and the Maricopa County Education Service Agency (MCESA)
to begin providing intervention services to more than 200 youth demonstrating
evidence of school disengagement. MCESA implemented a mentoring program to
reconnect students that have been diverted from the juvenile court system back
to a supportive school community. Through this agreement, MCESA is also
providing professional development to schools on supporting youth with these
and other challenges.
Since the program began in early December 2015, MCESA has provided mentoring services to students in 72 schools and professional development to 70
schools throughout Maricopa County.
The program has already had positive effects.
Holly Williams of Mesa
Public Schools stated, "We are pleased with this partnership and the
positive impact it is having on our students. We see the value of students
having a mentor who will meet with them and discuss the importance of
attendance and hard work and who will serve as another voice guiding them
toward their future goals."
Cyndi Tercero, Drop
Programs Developer in the Phoenix Union High School District commented, “We are
thrilled to provide another layer of support for our students who are
struggling most with attendance issues. The MCESA mentors and PUHSD student liaisons
are working together to identify and eliminate barriers for students. It’s
about connecting students to the right services and providing additional
support to help them be successful."
Responding to the
positive stories coming out of the mentoring program, Superintendent Covey said,
"One of the best educational services the county’s School Superintendent
can do is provide the right tools and personnel to support the success of all
students. Districts such as Mesa and Phoenix Union are proving that."
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