NCJ Number
149186
Journal
Equity and Excellence Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: special issue (Fall 1991) Pages: 47-54
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The South Academic Leadership Student Association (SALSA) was established at a high school in Milwaukee with the objective of reducing the dropout rate, particularly among Hispanic students.
Abstract
Twenty Hispanic 9th graders with records of poor attendance and low academic performance were selected to participate in the program, which consisted of biweekly tutoring sessions in which the students were assisted by Hispanic college students, referred to as mentors. Several enrichment sessions were organized to encourage the students to pursue higher education objectives. Active participants, when compared to students who signed up for the program but never participated, maintained a higher grade point average, missed fewer classes, and earned a much higher proportion of successfully completed courses. Nonetheless, the program was less successful in helping students overcome personal and family problems that stood in the way of their academic achievement; these included poverty, adolescent pregnancy, family dysfunction, family trauma, child abuse, and substance abuse. The data suggest that programs such as SALSA should be expanded in order to encompass additional support services available in the wider community. 5 references