YLI Helps Youth Get College Ready
In 2008/09, 54% of the Latina/o seniors attending San Rafael High School did not graduate, and only 10% graduated eligible to attend college. At Novato High School, among Latina/o and African American seniors, 35% did not graduate high school and only 10% graduated eligible to attend college.
The Youth Leadership Institute's College for All Partnership, a collaboration with the Parent Services Project, Education Excellence and Equity and the College for Marin, is working to support 100 of the most at-risk youth in these schools to not only help them graduate from high school, but to do so with the right credentials to enter college.
The program supports the academic, social, emotional and cultural needs of the participating youth, and also provides support systems to their parents to play an active role in their children's success.
Martha Lara, a parent in the program says “I feel that I’m making personal growth. Through these workshops I learned to find my own strengths… I feel that my children’s education is in great part my own responsibility … I am planning on getting more involved in my children’s education... and I will be able to support my children all the way to college. At the end, my entire family will win."
Teachers and school administrators also receive training through the program. Every teacher in the program has requested follow-up training, and 85% report that student engagement has increased. The program begins in middle school where the average GPA has increased from 1.77 to 2.07 for participating youth. Additionally, 50% of youth are reporting that due to their involvement in the College for All Partnership they now plan to continue their education.
The College for All Partnership is made possible by funding from the Marin Community Foundation.