Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/587184
Middle School Moment A segment in the 2012 PBS Frontline program "Dropout Nation" examined the "Middle School Moment," a time when, accord- ing to Johns Hopkins researcher Robert Balfanz, a series of "ABC" indicators can predict how likely a student is to drop out of high school: Attendance, Behavior and Course perfor- mance. Specifically, in high-poverty schools, if a sixth-grader attends less than 80 percent of the time, receives an unsatisfactory behavior grade in a core course, or fails math or En- glish, there is a 75 percent chance that they will later drop out of high school — absent effective intervention. See the segment at pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/education/ dropout-nation/middle-school-moment. says Telphy, who observes that middle school is a time when emo- tions take over. "They tend to be angry toward a parent who's not there. They will become angry if their dad isn't in their life or they are being raised by a grandparent. It affects them academically. Sometimes they give up and feel like no one cares. As counselors, our job is to let them know someone does care. I'll tell them, 'Your parents love you.' I will call a meeting with parents. Half the time parents may not realize what their children are going through." Telphy says she has put her own spin on the anger management meetings, using materials the district provides as well as some of her own. Some students are referred by administrators or parents; some she recruits into the group after sensing their anger and hostility. Her district has created Operation Student Recovery to address truancy, which sends out teams of teachers and community members to knock on students' doors if they aren't at school. Sometimes adults or teens who answer the door are embarrassed; other times they are pleased that someone took the time to show they care. "Our goal is to involve parents," Telphy says. "We want to help students learn to accept consequences. We want to teach students how to respond to distractions and remove themselves from certain situations. We also want to let students know we are here for them — and school can make their lives better." Editor's Note: A few months later, Dianna has shown improvement, says Palacios. Both of her parents are spending more time with her and showing strong support. She is continuing with the independent study program to receive high school credit for ninth grade. Palacios recently rewarded Dianna and her father with tickets to a Los Angeles Dodgers game to recognize the strides she has made. Kimberly Telphy at Arrowview Middle School encourages students to talk about emotional and social issues, which helps them succeed academically and stay in school. Video 36 cta.org F E A T U R E