Helping Hands: Effective Programs for At-Risk Students in Virginia

Abstract

The Virginia Education Association and the Appalachia Educational Laboratory jointly sponsored a group of six educators to study descriptions of over 100 programs for at-risk students in Virginia public schools. The group developed a Survey of Programs for At-Risk Students that called for an extensive program description and mailed the survey to the identified programs. Forty-three responses to the survey were returned and reviewed by the group. Eighteen programs met the criteria of providing a description of program activities or interventions, a description of evaluation results or effectiveness measures, congruence between the stated goals and interventions described, inclusion of activities that differed from the regular school curriculum, focus on in-school strategies rather than programs for youths not currently enrolled, and evidence of program credibility and enthusiasm for the program on the part of the respondents. This document summarizes characteristics of the 18 programs in these topic areas: goals and objectives; major program activities; types and frequency of instruction; staff development; program funding; program staffing; program histories; program plans for the future; measures of program effectiveness; withdrawals from programs; and major program accomplishments. The programs are listed with contact persons and brief descriptions, and grouped by educational level. A bibliography is included. (ABL)