Student Ownership of Program
Name: Heather Burack; Marissa Disla; Keith Rogers
Organization: Good Shepherds Services: Groundwork for Success
Date: August 6, 2018
SEL Competency: Academic Behaviors, Academic Self-Efficacy, Belonging
Driver of Focus: Mastery-Based Experiences, Caring Relationships, Elevating Youth Voice
Cohort Demographics: 9th-12th Grade
OVERVIEW
GWS staff elevates their student leadership cohort by allowing them to share responsibility and ownership of program design and implementation, including but not limited to staff hiring decisions. This creates a culture of inclusivity and "holistic learning," and reinforces participants' sense of belonging. GWS students improved in academic behaviors and self-efficacy as well as belonging on the SSN Survey.
KEY DETAILS
LENGTH
Year-Round program
Each cohort meets periodically, ranging from monthly to bi-weekly, to weekly.
SETTING
Classroom(s)
ACTIVITY
Peer Tutors are paired with younger students during homework time. They walk through lessons and assignments with students, creating a mutual increase in academic behaviors and academic self-efficacy.Peer Leaders give insight to planning program activities, including but not limited to retreats, lock-ins, college tours and even changes to basic facets like Homework time. Scholars with Service engage with different community partners of their choice. Students within the leadership cohort earn a quarterly checks as compensation and increased incentive to participate.
REASONING
GWS takes a holistic approach to academic growth. The leadership program provides a means for students to build connections (and sense of belonging) with each other and with staff as well as their academic self-efficacy. It also provides students with valuable experience for college. Tutoring has been touted as a viable method for students to build their own academic skills and efficacy. Checks are distributed on the condition that students handed in their report cards.
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR PRACTICE WORKED?
Based on Network-Wide SEL Survey Analysis, Good Shepherd Services Groundwork for Success cohort was identified by Research Alliance for NYC Schools as one of 18 Bright Spots; meaning they had a greater positive effect on youth SEL compared to sites that serve similar students across the Network. The charts shows the change in the percentage of youth responding positively to Survey questions related to Academic Self-Efficacy, Academic Behaviors, and Belonging.
NECESSARY TOOLS
Report card and progress report tracker
TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Prioritize getting to know students and their strengths. Utilize their strengths when appointing roles and considering program changes, further building their confidence.
Make sure students are comfortable with each other; connect students with similar interests, or encourage students who live nearby each other to walk home together. This program functions best when the students feel kinship with eachother.
Staff must keep open lines of communication with each other, and keep an open mind; program is subject to change!
Plan ahead of time; have systems and structures ready in order to maximize impact of change.
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