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Private Influence
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9/14/2008
- Posted by Rebecca Funk, President
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The South Greenville Summer Enrichment Program - what a wonderful program to help influence teens! Programs such as this can and should be the norm for areas all across the country. Students have the opportunity to meet each other, learn new things, volunteer, and interact with positive adult role models, and they do this all for free.
First Scholarship Fund also offers students the chance to attend an enrichment program for free along with receiving a college scholarship. The private and non-profit sector has much to contribute when it comes to decreasing the drop-out rate and more programs such as this should be started.
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Reference(s):
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080613/YOURUPSTATE/806130340/1069/YOURUPSTATE01
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Idle Teens
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9/6/2008
- Posted by Rebecca Funk, President
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Why do so many so-called "idle teens" end up incarcerated? These drop-outs are not working and are not attending school. This leaves the door wide open for new programs to address the needs of these "idle teens."
Maybe a traditional school environment has not worked for these students and there needs to be a transitional program to help them refocus and regain the motivation to complete their education.
First Scholarship Fund encourages the development of new programs, which could be modeled after successful summer and day camp programs, to help get these students involved in something and out in the world.
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Reference(s):
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080612/OPINION01/806120311
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On Your Own Time
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8/31/2008
- Posted by Rebecca Funk, President
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Why are students who graduate in five years counted as drop-outs? It seems to me that the goal should be graduation and not necessarily at the same pace for everyone.
We don't have these same restrictions for college. Some students finish quickly in three years, while others can linger at their university for five years and sometimes more depending on the degree.
Yet, what we emphasize is finishing. It seems like we could lower the drop-out rate if students felt they had a little more control over the time table. Schools could become more successful by recognizing the need of individual attention and considerations for each student.
First Scholarship Fund recognizes the importance of working with kids on an individual basis and focuses our camp scholarships on students who will benefit the most from individualized attention.
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Reference(s):
http://www.projo.com/education/content/mc_graduation_06-05-08_A6AD8I8_v13.39c8d4d.html
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Addressing the Cause
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8/21/2008
- Posted by Rebecca Funk, President
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Recognizing the connection between juvenile crime and drop-out rates is critical. What we should be asking ourselves is why do kids choose to drop out in the first place? Is it because the curriculum is too hard? Are they bored? Do they lack self-confidence or motivation? I imagine it is a combination of those things plus many more factors that vary from student to student.
First Scholarship Fund is confident that our combination of camp and college scholarships can motivate kids who may be considering dropping out. Sometimes all it takes is knowing that someone believes in you, while other times it takes that and making sure a student's home issues and other challenges are being addressed. At First Scholarship Fund, we can help address confidence and motivation.
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Reference(s):
http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/19505579.html
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