Improving educational outcomes begins with something basic: keeping young people in school, not in the juvenile justice system. And that means addressing the things that cause them to drop out in the first place: chronic truancy, suspension, and school disengagement. Access Youth tackles all of these. At eight public schools, full-time, on-site program managers build trusting relationships with students, meeting them at moments of crisis or when early warning signs of school disengagement arise. Beginning as early as 6th grade, this seven-year continuum of support provides students with opportunities and incentives, such as coaching and personalized goal-setting, through high school graduation. Rooted in trust, student voice, conflict resolution, and mediation — not punishment — the program will serve 900 students this year, decreasing behavior issues, boosting attendance, increasing school engagement, cultivating a sense of belonging, improving performance, and creating better outcomes for kids.
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