The ¡Gradúate! ProgramThe ¡Gradúate! Program

Sandy Preiss ¡ ¡Gradúate! Program Coordinator

Marco A. Zárate NCSHP President

North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals“Promoting Education among Hispanic Youth”

North Carolina Society of Hispanic ProfessionalsNorth Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals

• NCSHP was founded in 1999, as a state-wide community- based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the only mission of promoting education of Hispanic youth at all scholastic levels, and supporting two core beliefs:– Education is the key to future success in life and – Investing in the education of a Hispanic student is an

investment in North Carolina.

NCSHP Programs/InitiativesNCSHP Programs/Initiatives• Hispanic Educational Summit - Largest educational conference for middle and

high school students in North Carolina

• NC Hispanic College Fund - College Scholarships

• Hispanic Achievement Conference and Workshops – Professional development for teachers and school administrators

• “Stay in School” Campaign and Video Contest – Awareness campaign of the importance of stay in school.

• “Good Stewards of the Environment” Science Program• Motivational Speakers Group• Educational Advocacy

The ¡Gradúate! Program The ¡Gradúate! Program • Funded by NC Dropout Prevention Commission and

administered by the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI)

• Wake County Public School System• Alamance-Burlington School System• Comprehensive dropout prevention services• The only DPI-funded program in 2011-2012 targeting

solely Hispanic students

ResourcesResources

• Partnering Organizations• Schools• Volunteers

Human Services

DemographicsDemographics

• Bilingual and bicultural program

• 100% of students self-identify Hispanic

• At-risk: Measurable criteria and target outcomes

• Role Models

The NeedThe Need• Hispanic students are dropping out at a higher

rate than their peers.– 4.79% vs. 3.75% overall (NCDPI, 2011)

• Hispanic student population increase.– Hispanic HS students in NC estimated to increase

from 4,483 in 2008 to over 28,000 in 2020.

• Efficacy and lack of Latino-targeted programs (bilingual and bicultural) and role models.

¡Gradúate! Program Services¡Gradúate! Program Services• In-School monitoring

and guidance through individual meetings

• After-School programs: tutoring sessions and Life Skills lessons

• “Juntos” Program parent workshop series

Best PracticesBest Practices

ChallengesChallenges

• Student Recruitment– Transportation– Motivation

• Parent Involvement– Transportation– Language– Education/experience

• Volunteer Recruitment– Specific hours– Transportation– Consistency

SuccessesSuccesses• 133 students served.– Individualized, persistent recruitment– Parent phone calls and home visits– FACE TO FACE INTERACTION

• 89 families attended parent meetings.– Personal invitations are essential– Fully bilingual meetings and handouts

• Over 30 volunteers offering services.– Service learning partnerships– Diversify sources

Fall Semester DataFall Semester Data• 52% of consistent attendees who failed a class

last school year, passed all classes Fall Semester 2011.– 8 students who failed 2-7 classes last year, passed

all classes Fall Semester 2011

• 41% of consistent attendees who had more than 10 absences last school year, had less than 5 absences Fall Semester 2011.– 7 students went from 19-38 absences last year to

3-7 absences, Fall Semester 2011

www.graduatenc.orgwww.graduatenc.orgThank you for your participation. We would love to hear from you!

Sandy Preiss – sandy@thencshp.org

8450 Chapel Hill Rd., Suite 209 Cary, NC 27502 (919) 467-8424

www.thencshp.org