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April NEWSLETTER
The Role of Education in Prevention Efforts
Involving the Sectors
On April 3, Dr. Darren Lubbers presented some interesting new facts in “Drugs, Drinking, and Teen Success and Failure in School.” The facts were derived from a University of Michigan panel study that has been tracking students since 1975. The research benefits of a panel study are that they follow the same group of kids yearly during the entire period of measurement. So, the results are true to the individual during the allotted timeframe.
Dr. Lubbers asked us to ponder two questions and to decide which was more truthful. Does doing well in school protect teenagers from drug use? Or does drug use threaten teenagers’ success in school? These are great questions that seem interdependent. But University of Michigan researchers were able to pinpoint an answer. They determined that “patterns of educational success or failure are well established for most adolescents by the time they reach the end of eighth grade,” Dr. Lubbers noted. Drug use has only begun to emerge by the end of eighth grade. When you look at these facts, it appears that doing well in school protects teenagers from drug use. And the goal is to keep kids engaged in school and invested in attaining a high GPA in high school and into advanced education. This is especially true with males.
Now we know we need to embrace education. We need to give our youth the desire to achieve academic goals. We need to plant the seed with our youth that life-long learning is crucial. Here are some ways the sectors can make that happen.
SCHOOLS & UNIVERSITIES
Schools and universities are the most natural connection to impacting youths’ love of education and academic achievement. Secondary schools should encourage students to aim for a post-high school education—whether that means attending a university or enrolling in a program for a two-year degree. Also, secondary school educators are in the unique position to see when a student looses interest in learning. That student may be experiencing some learning disabilities or a number of troubles that sway focus from the learning process. But educators can turn the tide just by showing an interest in a troubled student and by redirecting to the discipline of achieving academic goals.
Another opportunity to mentor high-school youth is during the college application process. It can be daunting to plow through the layers of the application process. And many kids are intimidated by the task. High school counselors or prepared parent volunteers really can make this a much more approachable process. Reach out to students, especially during their junior year, and encourage them to continue their education beyond high school. With you there to shepherd them through the application process, they will be several steps closer to attaining a higher education, to increasing their confidence in the possibilities of academic achievement, and to staying away from risky behaviors.
Once the youth are at universities, the dynamics change. The kids are living outside of daily parental supervision. The underage students are in closer proximity to legal drinking aged students. And according to the University of Michigan study, alcohol use goes up—especially binge drinking. And even though these kids are enrolled in higher education, there are significant numbers of those kids who don’t complete that education. University educators and staff should create an environment that encourages kids to be involved in academic clubs or community service activities rather than social clubs that often promote parties with large quantities of alcohol. For university police, enforcing the current laws regarding public intoxication and underage drinking keep kids away from consuming alcohol. Studies show an inverse relationship with alcohol consumption and GPAs. The more college-aged students drink per week, the lower their GPAs fall. And this jeopardizes their academic attainment.
ADULTS & SENIOR CITIZENS
Mentor youth and keep them college bound. Share your higher education success with them, if you have them. And if you don’t have matriculation stories, let them know how much you want them to have academic stories to tell. Let them know the importance of life-long education and the pivotal role that has played in your life.
Be in tune with the apprehensions kids are dealing with during this time of big decisions and transition. As mentioned earlier, learn about the college and technical school admissions requirements, and help youth through the process.
YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS
Your organization is already showing the youth the importance of staying engaged and in learning something new. Encourage them to pursue a higher education and to share their talents on campus.
BUSINESSES
Today’s youth is your future workforce. Mentor kids and show them what it takes to be successful in your line of work.
Also, show your support for education by offering a scholarship. Your scholarship may make it possible for a student to buy books and supplies or any additional type of support a much-deserving student needs to make that education financially possible. Plus, it’s a great way to increase brand loyalty in the community.
NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS
Let the youth in your neighborhood know that you are invested in their success. Offer a scholarship. It’s a subtle way to let the youth know that you have enjoyed watching them grow up and that their academic success is vital to the health and rejuvenation of the community. Receiving a scholarship keeps their academic involvement visible and keeps them accountable, too. |
