Reducing school dropout

• Retaining qualified students in a learner-focused educational system
• Graduating individuals contributing to community and country
• An integrated, cost effective and proven success model
• Best college students in New Mexico mentoring and tutoring vulnerable kids in New Mexico.

Report from 2011 Perach Organizing Committee

HiddenFromView, a New Mexico Nonprofit Educational Research Organization

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

          Dropout rates and failure to graduate high school and college are increasing in New Mexico, with low income and ethnic (non-Caucasian) students at greatest risk. New Mexico college graduation rates are about 10% lower than the national average. Early signs of predisposition to dropout and failure to graduate high school appear in grade three and we support the new state government initiative to ensure competency in reading ability by the end of third grade. There is growing inequality in the educational system.

     There is one successful global model countering dropout, creating readiness to promote and successful retention in the educational system: the innovation started in 1974 at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel is called PERACH which means ‘flower’ in Hebrew and is also the acronym for tutorial project. College students receive a partial scholarship in return for mentoring and tutoring children from disadvantaged groups, matching the college student’s abilities with needs of the child. Each year 60,000 vulnerable Israeli children work with 30,000 Israeli college students in a Win-Win situation. PERACH has been adapted in 21 countries. Recently PERACH spawned programs at 45 Mexican colleges and universities. There is no American or African PERACH program.

     Could New Mexico benefit from development of a responsive, responsible and rational mentoring and tutoring program? Early evaluation from a project in the College of Education at New Mexico State University using principles in parallel with PERACH says Yes in a resounding way.

     MATCH NEW MEXICO believes gifted students recognized for merit, achievement or need should give something back to their community. Scholarships, foundation awards, governmental support, and other monies should be “reinvested” in the community through good works assisting others. The best of our capable college students can reward everyone.  

     The vulnerable child gains needed attention, individual stimulation and the opportunity to excel on multiple levels. The college student receives direct financial support, gains experience and meaning while learning about social needs, and may gain direct experience in a chosen professional field of study while completing college credit. The academic center is energized by the social involvement of the students and closes the gap between ivory tower isolation and direct service to the surrounding community. Community pride with strong social values and cooperative spirit allows everyone to feel better. On a long-term basis, all of the gains blend together with shared awareness of community responsibilities.

NEXT STEPS

1. Identify and describe all existing mentoring and tutorial programs in New Mexico.
2. Begin work with the New Mexico Legislative Educational Study Committee to establish an independent coordinating office for mentoring and tutoring efforts.
3. Establish a collaborative network, linking all academic coordinators, organizations, leaders and interested individuals, to share information and shape programming.
4. Develop evaluation measures assessing program objectives from the outset.
5. Establish socially responsible curricular models for college credit.
6. Fund a reasonable number of selected New Mexico college students to be matched with vulnerable children identified by local school systems throughout New Mexico.
7. Launch MATCH NEW MEXICO.

Contact Information:

HiddenFromView

6100 Fourth Street, A-298

Albuquerque, NM 87107

(505) 798-9055

John R. Graham, abqparadox@comcast.net

Judith Weinstein, judithhfvinfo@gmail.com