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Austin Partners in Education National Mentor Month 2007
January 2007
Austin Mentors Help Students Succeed
(Austin, Texas - January 12, 2007) Across the country January is celebrated as National Mentoring Month, but 2007 also marks the 20th year of Project Mentor in the Austin Independent School District.
Project Mentor first began in 1987 through an IBM executive-on-loan initiative. The pilot involved 67 mentors for a 12 week program. Currently, over 1500 mentors support the district through campus-run and community organization sponsored programs. Austin Partners in Education (APIE) works with community mentors to serve approximately 80 AISD campuses. In addition, APIE collaborates with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, Communities in Schools, and the Travis Community Education Foundation to supply mentors to various campuses throughout the district.
Austin Partners in Education extends its sincere appreciation to the thousands of mentors making a difference one student at a time in Austin public schools; though the number of mentors is significant, more are still needed. In response to the tremendous volume of student and campus requests for mentors, APIE has announced a new drive for mentors for the current school year.
Data shows that mentoring benefits students socially and academically. A 2002 study published in Child Trends notes that students with mentors have significant improvement in school attendance, higher college participation rates, less drug and alcohol use, and improved relationships with parents and peers. According to Kathrin Brewer, APIE executive director, the relationship between a student and mentor can have a tremendously positive impact on a student’s academic success. "When students have one more adult in their life that cares if they go to school and if they do their best, it makes a difference in their academic commitment."
APIE's mentoring initiatives receive full support from Austin ISD. "We are thankful for the 20 years of service mentors have given our students and urge community members to continue this legacy by becoming a mentor today," said AISD Superintendent Pat Forgione. "Mentoring initiatives are just one of many successful business/education partnerships that result in student achievement.
One hour a week can make a lasting impact on the life of a student. Mentors are needed across Austin to help the next generation of Austin youth succeed. For information on mentoring, call Christi Caballero at 512.637.0983 or visit www.austinpartners.org.
Austin Partners in Education is a partnership between Austin ISD, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, and the Austin community that creates and fosters effective community and school partnerships to ensure that all AISD students are prepared for college and career.
Austin Partners in Education would be pleased to set up interviews and video/photo shoots with a mentor and student. Please call the contact above to make arrangements.
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