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| DeLasalle Model. An individualized program of special services coupled with a core academic curriculum for students who have dropped out of grades 9-12 to help them improve their academic skills and complete their high school education. |
Audience Approved by PEP for populations fitting the high school level (grades 9-12), with most students between the ages of 14 and 18. Students for whom the DeLaSalle Model is appropriate are those who have typically had poor or sporadic school attendance and low academic performance in their previous schooling.
Description DeLaSalle Education Center is a private not-for-profit agency which has served the greater Kansas City area since 1971. The goals of the fully accredited program are to increase school attendance, improve academic skills, and enhance self-esteem and educational attitudes in students who have dropped out of high school and have no other chance for completing an education.
DeLaSalle employs a variety of programming features and services within a comprehensive model to allow every youngster to be successful in his or her education. These include a supportive non-traditional school structure, a small student-teacher ratio, individualized learning, student contracting, intensive counseling, vocational skill training, and a diagnostic prescriptive teaching process.
The DeLaSalle Model provides a design for replication of educational strategies which reinforce the efforts called for by the National Goals for Education. Using the Model, any alternative school can develop an appropriate program within the framework of local needs and resources.
Evidence of Effectiveness Follow-up studies have shown that the DeLaSalle Model has enabled students to earn the high school diploma or GED certificate, and improve work skills and social adjustment. Improvements have been shown to be maintained long after program completion.
Requirements While DeLaSalle Education Center has developed its own facility apart from any traditional school, the Model it has developed could be incorporated into an existing school program or within a common campus. Minimally, the Model would require a separate wing or floor to accommodate its special focus. Size of faculty and staff would depend on enrollment. Beside the need for high-interest, low-skill level materials for classroom use, appropriate materials and space for vocational classes, and faculty training and inservice, there are no substantial differences in outlay between conventional programs and the Model program.
Costs Overall costs for implementation of the DeLaSalle Model are similar to costs in a public school system. Estimates for personnel and materials needed to serve 160 students: nine teaching positions, five support staff, three days of training annually, office space, classroom and vocational equipment, record- keeping and work supplies, and testing materials.
Services Initial awareness materials are available at no cost. Awareness and training sessions are available with costs to be negotiated, either at the home site or adoption site. Interested administrators are invited to visit DeLaSalle Education Center at any time. Adoption of the Model includes consultation and evaluation support for the first year.
Developmental Funding: Mix of private and public funding (local and federal).
PEP No. 88-20 (7/21/89)
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[Graduation, Reality, and Dual-Role Skills (GRADS)]