The Dilemma of "Side-lined" Students:
Today, many schools in our province are faced with the challenge of “Side-Lined” youth. “Side-lined” replaces the term “At-risk”, referring to youth who are more likely to drop out of school due to their lack of credit accumulation, high absenteeism, family struggles, environmental challenges, and socioeconomic status. Ahead of the Game Mentorship Program fac
ilitators are there to provide companionship, support, and guidance to your “side-lined” youth. The Reality...Stats Matter:
Students who are unsuccessful earning credits in secondary school in grade 9 or 10 are at much greater risk of not completing their OSSD
Students who fall behind in credit accumulation often lose interest and hope, become disengaged from school, and are at risk of continued failure and dropping out of school. Students who have 14 or fewer credits by the end of grade 10 are 50% less likely to earn their OSSD (Dr. Alan King, Phase Three Report, 2004)
Approximately 20% of children and youth are at-risk and require support and assistance (Statistics Canada, 2010). Approximately 30% of 15 to 19 year olds did not complete secondary school (Statistics Canada, 2010). Children who enjoy a positive activity with an adult over the course of the year are:
46% less likely to begin using drugs
27% less likely to begin using alcohol
52% less likely to skip school (Baron, 1999)
The Solution...Mentorship
Youth guided by an Ahead of the Game mentor are more likely to:
-Earn higher grades
-Attend school regularly
-Improve self-esteem and self confidence
-Tend to have better relationships with others
-Are more likely to attend and graduate from a post-secondary institution (Card, David; Krueger, 1996; Griesemer, 2010)
