Stars for Students

Two new high school programs aid kids in finding path to futures

By Janet Jacobs

Two new programs are making their debut this fall at Corsicana High School, both geared towards the middle-of-the-road kids, the ones who might get into college, but might not even graduate high school.

The first, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), is a national program that is spreading across the country because it can claim proven results in improving kids’ grades, graduation rates and advancement to college.

The second, STAR (Success Through Active Role Modeling), is a local adult-student program organized to help those same AVID students find the careers that are right for them.

“Because they’ve signed up for AVID, you already know they’ve got an interest in trying to do something different, something better,” said Bill Spae, chairman of the STAR board.

Spae is an enthusiastic restaurant franchisee who, along with some other local businessmen, were casting about for solutions to what they saw as some serious problems in the community — too much unemployment, poverty and underemployment.

“In my mind, the only way to solve poverty is education,” Spae said.

The STAR initiative isn’t a mentoring program, and no one will be asked to help a student learn to read. What these adults are being asked is to commit to four years of career guidance.

“Mentoring is on campus, role modeling is going to be more of a career direction,” Spae said. “It’s an opportunity for a student to see how that career works.”

For example, a student who says he or she is interested in technology might be partnered with a computer engineer who could show the student his or her job, and even let the student try it out a little.

“We’ve already recruited some role models, and they are actively recruiting more,” Spae said. “Some of it’s going to be sitting down in a coffee house and talking, but a lot of it is going to be experiencing what a role model does because they have similar aptitude and similar interests,” Spae said.

The STAR organizers have three goals for the students: Graduation from high school; college or another form of advanced education; or lacking that, to find a good career.

Role models must apply, go through a background check, and pass an interview process before they would be allowed to deal with the students. As well, they have to be willing to make a four-year commitment.

“They sign a contract that says you’re going to stick with this student for four years, unless you have a major life change,” Spae said. “They do have to go through a training process. It’s a big commitment on the part of someone, and I’m real proud of the guys who have signed up.”

Just seeing the willingness of volunteers to give up their time and efforts is “overwhelming,” said Jennifer Timme, coordinator with Corsicana ISD.

“They’re just a blessing, to encourage students, to push students to strive,” said AVID teacher Kimi Muldner.

The AVID program itself has already gotten a strong start this year, with 61 students at the high school signed up for the elective course. In its first year, the program is still fresh, but Muldner and Timme believes they’re already seeing a change in attitude, both from the students and the parents.

“It’s created a whole different atmosphere, an increased expectation,” Timme said.

The AVID program began in 1980 in San Diego, following the racial busing of kids from poor neighborhoods into wealthy-neighborhood schools. The founder, Mary Catherine Swanson, argued that lowering the bar wasn’t the right approach, but giving students the tools to succeed and setting high expectations was.

The program offers a college boost to students who normally would sail through high school in the middle tier.

“We teach the kids how to organize themselves, and study the way successful college students do,” Muldner said.

Honors students and students on the verge of failing already have support programs in place, but prior to AVID there wasn’t much out there for those middle-of-the-road students.

“It’s someone identified in eighth grade with the potential to achieve in upper level courses, but who might benefit from academic coaching,” Timme said, describing the ideal AVID student.

Taveon Kelly is a sophomore in the AVID class, and he proudly shows off his AVID notebook, which includes his notes from each class, assignments, and communications between his parents and teachers.

It’s particularly helpful in his harder classes, Kelly said.

“Especially in my math and English,” he said, smiling.

Teaching the students how to organize their work and time is all part of the program, Muldner said.

“It’s changed the vibe here because the kids look at us and say ‘we’re on the same team, and the game is my future.’”

Professional adults interested in becoming STAR role models should call Lee McCleary at (903) 654-4806, or Bill Spae at (214) 695-8097.

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Janet Jacobs may be contacted via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com

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