About the Practice
All students are encouraged to participate in ESI activities such as:
Guest speakers, College visits, Group discussions, Homework help/peer tutoring, and Peer mentoring. ESI student meet with ESI design team members once a week and hold meeting that focus on self-esteem, resiliency, self-reflection, college and career readiness, and various other topics. The purpose of the weekly meeting is to provide opportunities for 9th grade male students to learn about the aforementioned topics, and to provide access and resources in a way that will allow for future leadership opportunities.
The program was established in the beginning of the school year and continues through the end of the school year.
Target Population/Total Students:
The ESI Cohort consist of both freshman and sophomore African American and Latino male students. There are approximately 207 students aged 13-15.
Challenges:
- Student interest in topics.
- Consistent meeting time and space.
How did school overcome challenges?
Most challenges have been overcome by strategically planning with the ESI design team. Delegating responsibilities for meeting space and brainstorming topics of interest assist with developing engaging topics and ideas that would keep our students attention and pique their interest. Utilizing student input as well has helped to develop interesting topics for discussions and incorporating guest speakers that students can relate to has helped keep these challenges to a minimum.
How did you evaluate that this practice was effective?
Student surveys and attendance of meeting has continued to increase as the meetings have continued. Students surveys that ask participants what they would like to see happen has also given the students a sense of being as their ideas have been incorporated into the weekly meetings.
How will you continue to sustain this practice?
Weekly meetings will continue as we build upon the ESI design team. Students will be placed on the ESI design team going forward, as we look to include student input. We have started the process of researching possible grants that would help sustain this effort in our school. Private funding is also being explored at this time.