By CHRISTINA HOAG Associated Press
Posted: 12/18/2010 09:08:14 AM PST
LOS ANGELES—It's no secret that students do better in school if their parents are involved in their education, but getting them interested is a challenge that makes Haydee Escajera roll her eyes and sigh.
"It's very difficult," said Escajera, who recruits parents as volunteers at Manual Arts High School, located in impoverished central Los Angeles. "It's not just that they're busy, even parents who don't work aren't interested."
Getting parents involved in their kids' education is a steep uphill battle at high schools serving urban neighborhoods, where parents are often overwhelmed by the need to make ends meet.
But those are the parents who need most to be involved to steer teens away from the inner city's ready lures of gangs, drugs and dropping out.
The conumdrum has long plagued urban school districts like Los Angeles Unified, which are under federal mandate to involve parents.
District leaders now aim to try a new model—forming "Parent and Family Centers" that offer everything from self-esteem improvement to nutrition workshops to citizenship classes at schools.
The concept is that boosting parents will lead to a healthier home environment and ultimately higher student achievement, said Christopher Downing, LAUSD administrator of school family, parent, and community services... http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16892430
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
National Survey of Volunteering Issues
Posted: Monday, December 6, 2010 - 14:42 by ProBono News
People who volunteer feel an increased sense of belonging to their community, and a significant proportion of volunteers say volunteering provides pathways to paid employment, according to an Australian survey.
The 2010 National Survey of Volunteering Issues, carried out by peak-body Volunteering Australia, found that 83% of volunteers say their work as a volunteer has increased their sense of belonging to their community.
The survey highlights the important role volunteering plays in providing opportunities for people to learn and gain skills useful for paid employment. 80% of respondents say their volunteering has provided them with opportunities to learn and 26% say training they have received as part of their voluntary work has helped them acquire an accreditation/qualification.
Read complete report...
http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2010/12/national-survey-volunteering-issues
People who volunteer feel an increased sense of belonging to their community, and a significant proportion of volunteers say volunteering provides pathways to paid employment, according to an Australian survey.
The 2010 National Survey of Volunteering Issues, carried out by peak-body Volunteering Australia, found that 83% of volunteers say their work as a volunteer has increased their sense of belonging to their community.
The survey highlights the important role volunteering plays in providing opportunities for people to learn and gain skills useful for paid employment. 80% of respondents say their volunteering has provided them with opportunities to learn and 26% say training they have received as part of their voluntary work has helped them acquire an accreditation/qualification.
Read complete report...
http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2010/12/national-survey-volunteering-issues
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