Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'High Schools That Work (Program)'

The purpose of this project was to design a school-based program, identify potential funding sources, and write a grant that would fund an alcohol harm reduction program for high school students. An extensive literature review indicated the need for a new innovative school based alcohol program, and provided information about evidence-based alcohol harm reduction programs that the grant writer then used to design a best-practices program. A search for potential funding sources via the Internet and a grant database resulted in the selection of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as the best funding source for this project. A grant was then written to support a school-based alcohol harm reduction program at Long Beach Polytechnic High School. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.

The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal to raise awareness for one of the most lucrative and fastest growing social problems in the United States, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST). The goal of this grant proposal is to promote awareness of DMST through a school-based prevention program where junior and high school students can be informed about the signs and risks of trafficking and ways in which help can be provided. The host organization is Western Youth Services (WYS) in Orange County, CA which is committed to advancing awareness, cultivating success and strengthening communities through integrated mental health services for children, youth and families. A potential funding source is provided along with staffing, implementation guidelines, and a budget. Implications for policy, practice, and advocacy are offered. Actual submission and/or funding was not a requirement for the completion of this project.

This case study explores the life experiences of adults with learning disabilities who participated in a work skills program during high school and later transitioned into adult life post-secondary education. This empirical research analyzes the issues related to the transitional outcomes of eight adults who are learning disabled (LD) post-public education. This study was guided by the following question: How do young adults with learning disabilities experience post-secondary life after their participation in a work skills program in high school? Three themes emerged from the data: (a) Establishing Self-Concept, (b) Developing Vocational/Life Directions, and (c) Building Hope for the Future. The findings of this case study are interpreted in light of Super’s Stages in Career Development theory. This particular cohort of learning disabled adults are faring well in regard to obtaining employment and developing career/life directions regardless of disabilities. All of the participants are thriving at their own pace towards a more independent life. The work skills program they participated in during high school had a direct positive influence on their transition into adult life post-secondary education. Findings reveal that, contrary to some research, these young adults are actively engaged in adult life with the determination to work, learn, and gain independence as they navigate the transition toward adulthood.

The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal to develop and fund a College Preparedness Program to educate students in South Los Angeles about college requirements, process and resources. An extensive literature review was conducted in order to examine the risk factors implementing college attendance for students in South Los Angeles and strategies utilized in the past to increase college enrollment. The Annenberg Foundation was selected as the funder for this program.

The proposed program would be offered to high school students enrolled at Youth Opportunities High School, located in the community of Watts in south Los Angeles. If funded, the program will aid students with college planning, preparedness and workshops. The overall goal of this program will be to increase high school students' knowledge about college, provide guidance and support to increase college enrollment. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.

Low-income racial and ethnic minority high school students encounter barriers which prevent them from attaining post-secondary education. The barriers include insufficient parental and school support, lack of motivation and self-confidence, socioeconomic status, lack of social capital in high schools and colleges, and inadequate or insufficient resources. Previous research identified college readiness programs as a way to promote academic success and college attainment for low-income racial and ethnic minority high school students. The purpose of this thesis project was to write a grant proposal to secure funding for a college readiness program for low-income racial and ethnic minority students enrolled in Hawthorne high schools in Hawthorne, California. The purpose of the proposed program is to strengthen students' academic and personal skills and provided resources that enabled students to complete high school and move onto post-secondary education. Research on existing college readiness programs was used for the development of this proposed program. The submission and funding of this grant project was not required for the successful completion of this project.

The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal to develop and fund a Life Skills Program to educate Latino students regarding the college application process and professional careers to pursue a higher education. An extensive literature review was conducted to understand the needs of Latino students and interventions that can effectively assist them to improve their higher education enrollment. The S. Mark Taper Foundation was selected as the funder for this program.

The proposed program would be offered through Santa Fe High School, located in the city of Santa Fe Springs, California. If funded, the program will provide Latino students with the skills and information necessary to pursue a higher education, to be competitive in the workforce and have a prosperous life. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.

Many Latino immigrant families are often marginalized, making them vulnerable to facing academic, cultural, and economic barriers. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to develop a mentoring program for Latino youth at risk for not completing high school to increase their interest in pursuing higher education. The proposed program would provide one-to-one mentorship for Latino youth who are currently involved with activities at Youth Collective Speaks in San Fernando, California. The goal of this mentoring program is to improve students’ and their parent’s awareness of higher education availability and to help these youth and their families become more aware of financial resources for college. The potential funding source for this grant is the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation as this program coincides with the goals of this foundation. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not required for the successful completion of the project.

Alternative high schools serve some of the most vulnerable students and their programs present a significant challenge to evaluate. Determining the impact of an alternative high school that serves mostly at-risk students presented a significant research problem. Few studies exist that dig deeper into the characteristics and strategies of successful alternative schooling. Moreover valid program evaluation methods to identify successful alternative school practices are hit and miss. As a result, public policy and systems of accountability have either disregarded information relating to alternative high schools or unjustifiably included them in comparisons with traditional high schools.

This dissertation studied the issue of how best to evaluate alternative high schools and what tools support leaders in planning a thorough and accurate program evaluation. The Alternative High School Program Evaluation Toolkit was developed to support school leaders and evaluation teams made up of internal and external stakeholders as they facilitate the program evaluation process. The features of the Toolkit address the need for alternative school evaluation to be practical, useful, fair and accurate. The Evaluation Toolkit includes training materials, protocols, an evaluation planning worksheet and an evaluation planning matrix that supports the team in conducting the evaluation.

The research represented in this dissertation is theoretically and practically grounded in Bridges and Hallinger's (1995) Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Borg and Gall's (1989) Research and Development (R&D) Cycle. The product of the R&D Cycle was the Alternative High School Program Evaluation Toolkit and a process for use by evaluation teams assigned the task of planning and carrying out program evaluations.

This study measured the impact of targeted reading interventions on improving reading fluency for second-grade students as indicated by their performance on a statewide standardized assessment of reading fluency proficiency. Reading fluency scores for students who received intervention in second grade were measured again in their third-grade year to see if the intervention had a lasting impact on their overall reading fluency ability. Statistical analysis using a paired samples t-test revealed that reading fluency ability increases with the use of targeted intervention among second-grade students. A statistically significant relationship was discovered through the use of a paired samples t-test for students who receive targeted intervention in second grade and their third-grade IRI scores. This verifies that targeted reading fluency interventions are successful among students from high-poverty backgrounds. Individual and focus-group interviews were completed with teachers, para-professionals, and instructional coaches who provided reading fluency interventions to students. Themes emerged indicating a need for targeted intervention, meaningful practice, and instructional strategies in order for students to become fluent readers. Further analysis determined that schools that utilize classroom teachers rather than para-professionals to provide reading fluency intervention to struggling, high-poverty students achieved the most overall growth on the IRI. Another contributing factor to overall growth on the IRI was the amount of time students received intervention. Students that received at least forty-five minutes a day of additional intervention exhibited higher levels of growth. Lastly, several different reading curricula were used in the present study, revealing that instructional strategies and targeted intervention leads to greater acquisition of reading fluency skills regardless of the prescribed curriculum.

The purpose of this mixed methods case-study was to understand why students enroll in the Community Involvement work-study program, why employers continue to host students, and what are the parents’ perceptions of their child’s experience. The following research question framed this study: What is the perceived impact of the Community Involvement Program?

Five additional questions further guided this study: 1. Why do students enroll in the Community Involvement Program? 2. What impact does enrolling in a work-study program have for participating students? 3. What motivates employers to become a volunteer host site for Community Involvement students? 4. What impact do parents perceive when their son or daughter participates in the Community Involvement Program? 5. How do students enrolled in the Community Involvement Program compare to those students who are not enrolled in the program based on GPAs, attendance patterns, and postsecondary plans?

This study examined the perceptions of the students, employers, parents, the instructor and the high school principal. Qualitative methods included open-ended surveys, interviews, focus groups, and student artifacts. Quantitative methods included analyzing Likert-type survey questions and archival data (GPAs, attendance patterns, and postsecondary plans). The findings will provide those involved in the education and workforce communities with insight into why students and employers continue to enroll in and support work-study programming.

The research study concluded that students, employers, parents, the instructor and the principal all found benefit in the Community Involvement Program. The study also confirmed the positive impact on GPAs, school attendance and postsecondary enrollment noted in the previous work-study literature. Seniors enrolled in the work-study program at Fulton High School had significantly higher GPAs, fewer absences, and were more likely to enroll in a two- or four-year postsecondary program as compared to seniors not enrolled. The students also shared that they believe the Community Involvement Program provided career exploration opportunities, lessons about work environment, lessons about postsecondary planning, and the development of meaningful relationships which impacted their future. Employers host students because they want to support the school and local community, see a positive impact on their work environment, find future employees, and develop meaningful relationships with the students. Parents noted that Community Involvement Program positively impacted their child’s career and postsecondary decisions, their children learned valuable work lessons, and developed relationships with employers that impacted career and college decisions. Each of the participants including the instructor and principal suggested expanding the program to all juniors and offer the program during the summer. Recommendations based on the findings included: 1) more high schools should offer work-study programs for one or two semesters to juniors and seniors, 2) encourage employers to host and expand opportunities for students, 3) hire students who participate, and 4) promote work-study opportunities in the community and schools.