1. Positive Action Center: An Innovative Approach to Discipline Management

2. What We Know Nationwide Each school day, 7,000 students dropout of school 1 out of 3 students do not graduate 3 out of 4 state prison inmates did not graduate high school Students who drop out are 3 times more likely to fall into poverty Each drop out earns approximately 35% less annually than those who graduate

3. National Statistics In 2003, 26 of the largest school districts in America graduated less than 6 out of 10 students

4. Graduation Rates for Our 10 Largest U.S. Districts (2007) New York City – 54.8% Los Angeles – 40.6% Chicago – 55.4% Miami-Dade County, Fla. – 56.9% Clark County, Nev. – 39.9% Broward County, Fla. – 60.5% Houston – 42.2% Hillsborough County, Fla. – 63.0% Hawaii (statewide district) – 65.1% Philadelphia – 48.4%

5. Other Graduation Rates (2007) Detroit – n/a Dallas – 42.8% Baltimore – 43.4% Albuquerque – 46.4% Milwaukee – 47.5% Fort Worth – 50.0% Fresno – 51.2% Denver – 52.8%

6. Every 29 seconds a student gives up on school

7. The Cost in Texas Texas has 119,000 dropouts each year Taxpayers in Texas spend $3,168 annually per drop-out for their lifetime (Medicaid costs, incarceration costs, and loss of tax revenue)

8. 119,000 x $3,168 = $377,000,000 per year The Cost in Texas

9. Example: The 2007 class of drop-outs will cost the state $377 million this year and every year after for the rest of their lives The Cost in Texas

10. Why do kids go to ISS and AEP?

11. What does ISS or AEP look like in your District?

12. Students in ISS or AEP: Get behind on assignments Miss critical instruction Feel picked on or targeted Feel isolated Feel disliked and insignificant Continue the behavior If habitual, fall into the category of “throw away kid“ Are negatively impacted by their peers

13. What If? Students could come back from ISS or AEP: Feeling significant and validated Able to identify and communicate their needs Able to express feelings Able to explore solutions With new problem-solving techniques With a plan to be successful

14. The Answer: Positive Action Center Goals: Reduce number of students referred to ISS/AEP Improve decision making skills Develop better communication skills Develop problem solving skills Develop improved listening skills Build resiliency skills Reduce violence

15. How it works! Voluntary process A student mentor works with the student to build an action plan that allows them to take responsibility and find his/her own solutions Mentor does not advise, they just listen and help facilitate the process

16. By following the steps listed above, I will ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Signature: _______________________________ Date:____________ Mentor: __________________________________ Date:____________ ACTION PLAN ActionWhenWhereWhoExpected Outcome 1. 2. 3.

17. What We See Reduction in overall disciplinary referrals Reduction in student recidivism Reduction in expulsions Reduction in dropouts Reduction in violent outbursts Improved attendance Improved classroom management Improved learning environment

18. Mentoring for 2006-2007 151 Mentors 686 Mentees 670 Successful Action Plans

19. Discipline Referrals

20. Grade Point Averages

21. Tardies 70.8% reduction

22. Absences 53.84% Reduction

23. What Our Schools Say! “It’s amazing how much the kids will open up to their mentors” McKinney Boyd High School Coordinator “The students get to develop a relationship with someone they can look up to” Ennis High School Coordinator “This program goes hand in hand with Peer Mediation” Duncanville High School Counselor “I can’t believe they actually wanted to talk to me” Mentor

24. Contact Information Susan.Armoni Executive Director susan.armoni@paxunited.org Cary Trout Senior Training Specialist cary.trout@paxunited.org paxUnited – The National Mediation Center® 2155 Chenault Drive, Suite 410 Carrollton, TX 75006 www.paxunited.org