Providing Education and Training for At Risk ... - Victoria University

Teachers involved in the course have been provided with professional development incompetency based training. It is planned to continue this PD program with other teachers asthe course expands. Course organisers believe that the concept of enterprise education mayhelp to engage and hold the interest of the “at risk” students and are considering ways inwhich these principles may be incorporated into the course.The course only commenced this year, however, staff and administrators have already identifiedthe following positive developments:• a marked increase in self confidence among the PEAK students;• a high level of motivation toward their studies by students who would normally have leftschool at an early age;• 75% of the students in PEAK have shown significantly improved attendance whencompared with the same period last year (with truancy being a factor currently linkedwith students at risk and youth suicide, these improved attendance rates are a plus for theprogram);• students have demonstrated improved life skills through the organisation of school-basedactivities;• positive comments from employers regarding the attitude of the students during workplacements;• Youth Services Division of the City of Greater Geelong have been impressed with theprogram and plan to offer assistance with future activities.The PEAK program would appear to have much to offer as a model for the provision ofeducation and training for young people who have been, or are about to become, alienatedfrom mainstream education.Endeavour Hills Vocational Pathways Program:A Pilot Program at Eumemmerring Secondary College(Endeavour Hills Campus)The Endeavour Hills Campus of Eumemerring Secondary College is located in the easternmetropolitan area adjacent to the Mulgrave Freeway. It has a broad social mix of students,some of whom have limited life experiences and narrow or low aspirations for schooling andbeyond. As a consequence, some students “floated”, showing little interest in school andstruggling with the mainstream curriculum. Some of these students were identified as schoolrefusers. The Vocational Pathways Program was developed to stimulate interest and to helpthese students make connections between school, work and life.The program is based on a model developed by NIECAP (Northern Interactive EducationCoordinated Area Program) in response to high youth unemployment and falling retentionrates of students who begin Year 11 and 12 programs. Endeavour Hills has adapted this modelto accommodate Year 10 students. The model comprises:• a modified Year 10 English course• maths (based on a New South Wales text – covers basic business maths eg. budgeting)• three VET modules in information technology/computer studies• VCE Industry and Enterprise• two electives each semester42