Who Are We Mentoring?

Purpose and Objectives:
The Superintendent has identified 9th graders as being a critical grade-level of students in which we must target to curb the dropout potential. This grade level has many overage students and others that are quickly becoming credit deficient. Our focus in the mentoring initiative will be at target high schools throughout the DISD.

The following are our objectives:

  • Working with BB/BS, the DISD will recruit and place qualified mentors with identified students in the 9lh grade from the targeted schools;
  • BB/BS will interview, screen, and train these volunteers that have been recruited to become mentors;
  • Training will be ongoing and flexible;
  • DISD staff will work closely with BB/BS to match mentors with specific schools and students that have been identified needing mentors;
  • Mentors will be asked to commit to a minimum of one hour per week on their mentorship;
  • Quarterly mentor meetings will be held to review student growth and relationship
    development
  • A student and mentor recognition event will also be held.

Program Benefits

Student:
Receives: support and guidance: assistance with academics; encouragement to stay in school and graduate: assistance in setting goals and choosing a career path Improves: interpersonal relationships; self esteem and motivation

School:
Improves student: performance: attendance; graduation rate

Mentor:
Increases community involvement; makes a new friend; recognizes they can make a difference; gains knowledge about youth and the schools; contributes to the quality of the future workforce

Business:
Fosters good community relations; improves employee morale; enhances employee skills; contributes to the quality of the future workforce; develops good consumers

For more information, contact Rachel Moon at (972) 925-3970 or rmoon@dallasisd.org.