This is the final part of a two-part series involving school dropouts and how mentoring is among the programs being used to address the problem.

School District of Oconee County officials are hopeful the implementation of mentoring programs throughout elementary, middle and high schools can improve a 75 percent on-time graduation rate.

Studies have shown that mentored youth feel greater competence in completing their schoolwork, experience higher levels of classroom engagement and higher grades and feel more connected to school. They also have a greater feeling of self-worth and improved relationships with their parents.

Oconee County District Superintendent Mike Lucas said all school clusters in the district received Title I funding, with the exception of Keowee Elementary (since the school has less than 40 percent of its students on free and reduced lunch) while IDEA funds are additional and have been used to support special education teachers and staff development for special and regular education teachers.

Walhalla High School principal Evie Hughes said at-risk students at her school have been identified, and discussions have been held to tell them about the education and training needed to find a future job. Hughes said her school has helped students develop a relationship with at least one adult in the building and in developing an Individual Graduation Plan with their RAZOR advisor and parents.

“By keeping focused on this plan and with the encouragement of their adult mentor, we hope our students will be more successful by staying in school and getting a diploma,” Hughes said. “Many of our students that drop out have issues not relating to school that get in the way of their education. Helping them solve these outside problems oftentimes helps them concentrate on finishing their education.”

Each school in the Seneca cluster area enlisted assistance from an AYP coach. AYP, or Adequate Yearly Progress, is the unit of measurement that determines the standard for student success on standardized tests in response to No Child Left Behind legislation. All students in the Seneca area were screened through a selection tool that awarded points for subgroups monitored on the standardized tests. Subgroups included gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, test scores, subsidized meals and family status. Each school targeted students in a specific range.

Seneca area schools developed a plan encompassing initiatives in three major areas — academic support and community outreach in addition to mentoring. At the elementary level, the focus centers on academic support involving literacy and reading strategies. Coaches and teachers go into classrooms and offer strategies and support to all students daily, reinforcing those skills through enrichment and learning lab opportunities.

Blue Ridge Elementary School principal Kathy Eichler said approximately 115 identified students are working directly or indirectly with AYP coach Daniel Spencer, a Clemson University graduate who participated in the “Call Me Mister” program.

“Mr. Spencer is working directly with 30 students, 10 each in grades three, four and five, for 50 minutes per day,” Eichler said.

The AYP coach also contacts parents, works with students on leadership skills, attends weekend sporting events and serves as a liaison with the middle school coaches for fifth-graders.

greg@dailyjm.com | (864) 882-2375