NCJ Number
149764
Journal
NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) Bulletin Volume: 75 Issue: 538 Dated: (November 1991) Pages: 45-49
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A districtwide effort to help at-risk students in New Jersey included not only a discipline program, but close cooperation and contact among parents, students, teachers, administrators, and counselors in both the middle school and the high school.
Abstract
North Brunswick Township School District in central New Jersey has committed itself to an ongoing plan designed to reduce the number of at-risk students and provide some of the services troubled youth need. The program began in the middle school as an alternative to the traditional school suspension for problem behaviors. The program keeps the at- risk student in school to complete schoolwork, be responsible for homework, and receive counseling that targets the problem behavior at issue. A teacher/counselor is employed to address the problems of such students by monitoring school performance and providing counseling to both the students and their parents. The initial program was expanded to include more staff, with each staff member responsible for no more than eight students. A major drawback of the program, however, was the lack of continuity when at-risk middle school students moved on to high school. This led to the appointing of the author as the coordinator of Operation Transition. A working relationship was established with the middle school to identify at-risk students who could benefit from a special program. Operation transition involves both students and their parents in a counseling relationship with the coordinator. The coordinator maintains regular contact with at-risk students and their parents so as to address any problems that arise. 4 references