Mentoring

Each student will receive group, or one-on-one mentoring. All students will have a trained mentor who will meet with them for a minimum of one hour a week for a full academic year. Mentors will also be available to conduct school and class visits to provide additional positive reinforcement. Researchers have found that youth ages 10 to 16 whose relationships lasted at least one year experienced substantial benefits, with significant improvements in feelings of self-worth, perceived social acceptance, perceived scholastic competence, the value placed on school, and the quality of relationships with parents as well as decreases in drug and alcohol use as compared with non-mentored youths. Given the barriers to advancement they face, young males are particularly in need of these developmental supports.

Student Achievement

Many students find themselves without the motivation to achieve both in and outside of the classroom. By establishing sustained and trusting relationships, students are more likely to request and accept academic assistance and advice. Through incremental steps, students will place more value in their education and begin to establish positive goals overtime.

Suspension Reduction

Evidence from prospective studies shows that school suspension can have serious unintended negative consequences for the suspended student. These unintended consequences include intensifying academic difficulties, school drop-out, disengagement from school, student alienation, crime and delinquency, and alcohol and drug use. In two recent papers, it has been shown that school suspension increases the likelihood of the student engaging in antisocial behavior and violent behavior 12 months later.

School Attendance

The attendance rate is important. Students are more likely to succeed in academics when they attend school consistently. It's difficult for the teacher and the class to build their skills and progress if a large number of students are frequently absent. In addition to falling behind in academics, students who are not in school on a regular basis are more likely to get into trouble with the law and cause problems in their communities.

Support System

The goal of the educational support system is to provide students with additional assistance needed for them to succeed, or be challenged in the general education environment. Foster students and disadvantaged young men of color, are in need of additional support systems to provide a positive school climate. Researchers have found that a positive school climate can help solve many issues affecting students. Studies find that it decreases absenteeism, suspensions, substance abuse, and bullying, and increases students’ academic achievement, motivation to learn, and psychological well-being. It can even mitigate the negative effects of self-criticism and socioeconomic status on academic success.

Foster Student Support

Foster children face many challenges in life. For those in long-term care, one major obstacle is the difficult transition out of state care into adulthood. education is a key factor in determining whether a foster child successfully makes this transition. Regrettably, many foster children do not. Compared to their peers, foster children have lower scores on standardized tests and higher absenteeism, tardiness, truancy, and dropout rates. Sigma Beta Xi will identify foster students and provide them with weekly academic, social, and emotional support to improve G.P.A. scores, increase school attendance, reduce suspensions, and prepare each student for college and career readiness.