More and more mentorship programs are being established within schools — with great success and with good reason. Research has indicated that youth with mentors are 40% less likely to commit acts of violence, and 50% less likely to skip school.
The value of mentorship programs
All students may benefit from mentorship programs. Mentoring has taken place for generations, both inside and outside the classroom in formal and informal settings. Teachers often serve as mentors. However, even the most dedicated educator may not be able to offer continual, one-on-one support that students need. Teachers often lack the time or resources.
This need led to the development of well-established and respected programs like Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America (BB/BS). Started in 1904, BB/BS is the nation’s oldest and largest youth mentoring organization. Through this program, caring adult volunteers have helped millions of children in all 50 states. Its success has established the traditional model of community-based mentoring.
Moving into schools
School-based mentorship programs offers unique benefits to participants, even over the community-based model. School-based mentoring takes place in a safe, supervised environment, which mentors and mentees have emphasized is of the utmost importance (Kountze, 2024). As a result, more students gain access to high-quality programming.
Mentors may prefer the idea of volunteering during the school or work day rather than on weekends, committing just one hour a week. Another important consideration is cost. In a school-based program, the district can provide space, technology, staff assistance and more.
Mentorship programs add value.
- Involve the community in planning.
- Gather demographics. Conduct focus groups, interviews, surveys, and meetings to determine local needs.
- When recruiting mentors, include volunteers from businesses who are already involved in active partnership programs.
- Recruit only mentors who are caring, committed and patient.
- Screen all prospective mentors thoroughly with criminal background checks, reference checks, personal interviews and employment history examination.
- Train mentors before starting. Involve school staff in training.
- Obtain permission for all minor children. If the family speaks a different language, provide outreach in their native language.
- Set up a committee of school staff to recommend and match mentors and mentees.
- Identify one person at each school as the liaison for school-based mentorship programs.
- Include activities that mentors and mentees decide upon together.
- Schedule regular mentor meetings to discuss progress and challenges.
- Host a recognition event at year’s end to thank mentors and staff.
- Involve families in the program.
- Encourage mentors to stay in contact during summer breaks.
- Evaluate the program to measure outcomes.
An earlier version of this article was published in Techniques: Connecting Education and Careers in November/December 2001. Vol. 76, No. 8. Read more in the archives.
