Re-Engaging Disconnected Youth: A Comprehensive Guide to Empowering At-Risk Students

Disconnected youth are young people who have dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out. They face a range of challenges, including poverty, homelessness, violence, and mental health issues. These challenges can make it difficult for them to succeed in school and reach their full potential.

Re-engaging disconnected youth is a complex but essential task. It requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the individual needs of each student. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence-based strategies that can be used to re-engage disconnected youth and help them succeed.

The first step to re-engaging disconnected youth is to understand the causes of disconnection. These causes can be categorized into three main areas:

Re-engaging Disconnected Youth: Transformative Learning through Restorative and Social Justice Education Revised Edition (Adolescent Cultures, School, and Society Book 63)

by Amy Vatne Bintliff

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	981 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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• Individual factors: These include factors such as academic difficulties, behavioral problems, and mental health issues.
• School factors: These include factors such as a lack of support from teachers, a negative school climate, and a lack of engagement in learning.
• Community factors: These include factors such as poverty, homelessness, violence, and a lack of access to resources.

It is important to note that the causes of disconnection are often interconnected. For example, a student who is struggling academically may be more likely to engage in behavioral problems. Similarly, a student who is experiencing violence at home may be more likely to drop out of school.

There is a growing body of research on evidence-based strategies for re-engaging disconnected youth. These strategies can be divided into three main categories:

• Wraparound services: These services provide a comprehensive range of support to disconnected youth, including academic support, counseling, and case management.
• Alternative education programs: These programs provide an alternative to traditional school for disconnected youth, such as online learning, credit recovery programs, and youth development programs.
• Community involvement: This involves partnering with community organizations to provide support to disconnected youth, such as mentoring programs, job training programs, and after-school programs.

The most effective re-engagement programs use a combination of these strategies. They provide a holistic approach that addresses the individual needs of each student.

Wraparound services are a key component of re-engaging disconnected youth. These services provide a comprehensive range of support to students, including:

• Academic support: This includes tutoring, homework help, and credit recovery programs.
• Counseling: This includes individual, group, and family counseling to address mental health issues and barriers to learning.
• Case management: This includes working with students to develop and implement a plan to address their individual needs.
• Health care: This includes providing access to physical and mental health care services.
• Transportation: This includes providing transportation to and from school and other appointments.
• Housing: This includes providing assistance with finding and maintaining stable housing.

Wraparound services are typically provided by a team of professionals from different disciplines, such as teachers, counselors, social workers, and health care providers. The team works together to develop and implement a plan that meets the individual needs of each student.

Alternative education programs provide an alternative to traditional school for disconnected youth. These programs are typically smaller and more flexible than traditional schools, and they offer a more supportive learning environment.

Alternative education programs can take many different forms, including:

• Online learning: This allows students to learn at their own pace and on their own time.
• Credit recovery programs: These programs allow students to earn credits for courses that they have failed or dropped out of.
• Youth development programs: These programs focus on providing disconnected youth with the skills and support they need to succeed in school and life.

Alternative education programs can be an effective way to re-engage disconnected youth and help them get back on track to graduation.

Community involvement is an essential component of re-engaging disconnected youth. Community organizations can provide a range of support services to students, such as:

• Mentoring programs: This allows students to connect with positive role models who can provide support and guidance.
• Job training programs: These programs provide students with the skills they need to find and maintain a job.
• After-school programs: These programs provide a safe and supportive environment for students to learn, socialize, and develop new skills.

Community organizations can also play a role in advocating for policies that support disconnected youth, such as funding for wraparound services and alternative education programs.

Re-engaging disconnected youth is a complex but essential task. It requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the individual needs of each student. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of the evidence-based strategies that can be used to re-engage disconnected youth and help them succeed.

By working together, schools, community organizations, and families can make a difference in the lives of disconnected youth. We can help them overcome the challenges they face and reach their full potential.

Re-engaging Disconnected Youth: Transformative Learning through Restorative and Social Justice Education Revised Edition (Adolescent Cultures, School, and Society Book 63)

by Amy Vatne Bintliff

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	981 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE