At-Risk Students Find Success with Work Experience Program
At New Directions, a small transfer school in the Claremont neighborhood, a work experience program is spurring gains in attendance and helping young people learn valuable skills.
A Solution to Chronic Absenteeism
Reaching these young people can be tough — but many who have joined the Learn to Work program based at New Directions have found success and confidence, learned hands-on job skills and formed lasting relationships with those who supported them through the journey.
Adult Support and Supervision
Between teachers, social workers, guidance counselors and other support staff, New Directions students get “lots of adult support and supervision throughout the day,” said Assistant Principal Nazeema Baboolall.
Urbaez with Assistant Principal Nazeema Baboolall.Photo Emily Swanson
Adults at New Directions are “relentless” in keeping tabs on each student — including how their home life is going and ensuring their basic needs are met through the school’s food pantry and connections to local resources.
The Learn to Work Program
With Learn to Work, students can obtain OSHA certifications and other qualifications for child care, food handling, lifeguarding, barbering, security work and more, all within the school day.
Since New Directions partnered with the nonprofit to bring in an instructor for the work program, daily attendance has increased by about 15%. This year’s attendance rate thus far is 85%, putting it on par with the city’s traditional schools.
A Success Story
One of the program’s biggest success stories is recent graduate Jai Urbaez, 19, who came to New Directions on the verge of becoming a 16-year-old dropout.
Urbaez got off to a rough start at New Directions, only attending one or two days per week. But he started getting calls every morning — sometimes more than once — from the assistant principal and other adults trying to make sure he showed up.
That kind of support meant a lot to Urbaez. “I never had that in middle school,” he said.
Seeing staff looking out for him — along with interesting options offered at the school — made all the difference, and he soon realized he was ready to accept help and support.
Conclusion
The Learn to Work program at New Directions is a shining example of how providing young people with the right support and opportunities can lead to success and confidence.
By offering hands-on job skills and forming lasting relationships with adults, New Directions is helping to break the cycle of chronic absenteeism and giving young people a chance to thrive.
FAQs
Q: What is the Learn to Work program?
A: The Learn to Work program is a work experience program offered at New Directions, a small transfer school in the Claremont neighborhood, where students can obtain OSHA certifications and other qualifications for various jobs.
Q: How has the program impacted attendance?
A: Since New Directions partnered with the nonprofit to bring in an instructor for the work program, daily attendance has increased by about 15%. This year’s attendance rate thus far is 85%, putting it on par with the city’s traditional schools.
Q: What kind of support does the program offer?
A: The program offers a range of support, including adult supervision, food pantry services, and connections to local resources, to ensure students’ basic needs are met and they have the support they need to succeed.
