| In the youth corps, we understand that
some students, carn't be successful in a traditional classroom. So
we structure our programs around outdoor work projects. Each semester,
students are given specific problems solving strategies and are taught
how to use these skills in a co-operative setting. Two days a week
are spent in the classroom. They are then assigned to do supervised
community projects, such as building trials, constructing foot bridges,
landscaping, restoring stream banks and testing water quality. They
have built garages, pole buildings and remodeled a museum. This approach
allows students to learn traditional high school course work and gives
their learning relevance and meaning and a community connection.
Three days a week are spent in the field.
Youth
corps works!
Oregon State University evaluated all of
the Oregon's community service corps as part of their family policy program.
The results:
Prior to youth corps:
100 % of youth reported to prior school
failure.
100 % demonstrated risk factors associated
with dropping out.
Academic outcomes:
GPA's show significant improvements.
Credits earned show significant increase.
Absences per month showed a significant
decrease.
What
does that mean to the community?
Increase community involvement.
Decreased crime.
Better future workforce.
Students earned 4.0
credits per semester in:
Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Science
Electives/Vocational Studies
|
