The Forgotten Graduate

Focused Area

Youth-At-Risk in Urban Settings

Relevance to Focused Area

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. The students who drop out, specifically African American Males are 8xs more likely to be incarcerated and never receive and/or complete a high school education.

I am currently working at The Academy for Urban Scholars, located in Columbus, OH. The Academy for Urban Scholars is a non-traditional high school set in the heart of the urban community. Drugs, crime, homelessness, pregnancy, and lack of family support are just some of the barriers come to us with. 90% of our students have dropped out of high school and now are returning to obtain the high school diploma. In order to be successful in the classroom, we have implemented the use of blended learning, differentiated instruction, relationship building and individual plans for our students. There is truly no text book that can share and showcase what we do.

Primary Strand

Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance to Primary Strand

This presentation will reach those who work in diverse settings (primarily African American and Latino) that include high school students with low socioeconomic status, learning disabilities, little to no family support, teen pregnancy, gang affiliation, and so much more

Brief Program Description

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. The Forgotten Graduate will share the realness of urban education, how to implement the use of blended learning, differentiated instruction, relationship building and individual plans for our students. There is truly no text book that can share and showcase what we do!

Summary

The information presented in this session will translate to improved practice by opening the discussion of the importance of education in the urban community, how to successfully implement blended learning, differentiated instruction, and relationship building.

Evidence

The National Center for Urban Solutions conducted a research study on African American Males, ages 15-24, funded by United Way of Franklin County, OH, to identify why African American Males do not go to work. The study focused on African American Males living in the urban community; multiple educational barriers was the number one reason. It was identified that over 90% of the males in the study had dropped out of High School. Participants sited two reasons as to why they decided to drop out and not continue their education: 1) the youth that dropped out of high school at was at the suggestion of the teacher and 2) the youth could not relate to the teacher making learning difficult and frustrating.

Once the founder of The Academy for Urban Scholars connected unemployment to education, he opened the school. We are currently in our 5th year. We have a higher graduation and retention rate than our surrounding public schools.

Format

Individual Presentation

Biographical Sketch

Kristen Muenster, M.Ed

Director of Curriculum and Instruction at The Academy for Urban Scholars, Kristen's experiences include: Early Childhood Education (k-3), Special Education (mild/moderate at the high school level), and Assistant Principal. Kristen is passionate about the ministry she has been called to do.

Start Date

10-23-2016 10:00 AM

End Date

10-23-2016 11:00 AM

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Oct 23rd, 10:00 AM Oct 23rd, 11:00 AM

The Forgotten Graduate

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school. The Forgotten Graduate will share the realness of urban education, how to implement the use of blended learning, differentiated instruction, relationship building and individual plans for our students. There is truly no text book that can share and showcase what we do!