Model Program

The leadership Academy is a mentoring and enrichment program that focuses on providing a series of structured educational activities to young boys and girls in grades six through twelve from the DeKalb County School system. Through structured educational activities, these students learn essential personal and technical skills that will prepare them for the technologically advanced 21st century. Topics range from Microsoft office suite, computer graphics, self-esteem and self awareness as well as, accelerated reading, effective study habits, and public speaking skills. The Leadership Academy also exposes youth to career fields and experiences where their energy and vision may lead to success, aiding them to become the best that they can be.

Program Descriptors Include:
Academic Improvement, Behavior Management/Discipline, Career Education, Computer Assisted Instruction, Extra Curricular, Family/Parental Involvement, Mentoring/Tutoring, Study Skills

Starting Date: 1991
Students Served Per Year: 50-250
Last Verified: 2009

Program addresses the following:

Individual factors

• High-risk peer group
• High-risk social behavior
• Retention/overage for grade
• Misbehavior
• Early aggression

Family factors

• Low socioeconomic status
• Low education level of parents
• Not living with both natural parents
• Family disruption
• Lack of conversations about school

School factors

• Limited resources: expenditures per student/ teacher salaries/ student-teacher ratios
• Race/ethnicity
• School math achievement
• Student engagement

Community factors

• Family composition/socioeconomic status
• Local labor market/neighborhood stability
• Youth social attitudes

Program promotes the following:

Relationships

• Presence and involvement of caring, supportive adults
• Opportunities and rewards for pro-social involvement
• Clear social norms
• Good relationships with parents, peers, and teachers
• Involvement with positive peer activities
• Perception of support from adults and peers

Independence

• Healthy/conventional beliefs and standards
• Positive/resilient temperament

Competence

• Social competencies
• Self efficacy

Creativity

• Problem-solving skills
• Flexibility

Optimism

• High expectations by community, family, school, and self
• Optimistic

Participants in the program have shown improved interaction at home and in school.

How evaluation data was collected:
Outside experimental studies