Valued Youth Program: Dropout Prevention Strategies for At-Risk Youth.

A federal program designed to reduce dropout rates in middle schools among limited-English-proficient (LEP) students is described. The program trains LEP middle school students at risk of dropping out as tutors for elementary school children. A demonstration project trained 101 Hispanic student tutors in two Texas school districts. Evaluation of this project over two years included investigation of its implementation, dropout prevention results, and the academic achievement, self-concept, school attitudes, attendance, and discipline records lf participating students in comparison with others. The project included classes for the student tutors, tutoring sessions, field trips, identification of adult role models, and special activities in recognition of the tutors’ contributions. Support functions included curriculum development, coordination, staff development activities, parent involvement, and program evaluation. Measurable results of the program for participating tutors include a lower dropout rate, improved reading grades, and improved self-esteem and school attitudes. Program expansion is under way. (MSE) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.