don’t let life hammer you down: the … · strategies that strengthen positive decision making...

DON’T LET LIFE HAMMER YOU DOWN: THE INFLUENCE OF FREE WILL AND

STRATEGIES THAT STRENGTHEN POSITIVE DECISION MAKING

Dr. Joan StruttonTexas A&M University-Central Texas

Department of Psychology & CounselingVirginia Mann

M.Ed Counseling, Texas A&M University, CommerceNCC, NCSC, LPC, retired

Michael S. Stagar IVTexas A &M University-Central Texas

Student Counselor-InternMonica Tapia

Texas A&M University-Central TexasStudent Counselor-Intern

Mary Jenkins James. S. Hogg Middle School—Tyler

M.A. School Counseling

AT-RISK DEFINED

The term "at-risk" came into use after the 1983 article "A Nation at Risk", published by the National Commission on Excellence in Education. The article described United States society as being economically and socially endangered. At-risk students are students who have been labeled, either officially or unofficially, as being in danger of academic failure.

Definition varies among states.

AT-RISK CRITERIA THE STUDENT…

1. is in Pre-K, K or grades 1, 2, or 3, and did not perform satisfactorily on a readiness test or assessment during the current school year.

2. is in Grade 7-12, and did not maintain an average equivalent to 70 on a scale of 100 in 2 or more subjects in the foundation curriculum during a semester in the preceding or current school year or is not maintaining such an average in two or more subjects in the foundation curriculum in the current semester.

3. was not advanced from one grade level to the next for one or more school years. Excludes students who did not advance from Pre-K or kindergarten to the next grade level only as the result of the request of the student’s parents.

AT RISK CRITERIA THE STUDENT… 4. did not perform satisfactorily on state assessment and who has not in the previous or current school year subsequently performed on that instrument or another appropriate instrument at a level equal to at least 110 % of the level of satisfactory performance on that instrument.

5. is pregnant or is a parent.

6. has been placed in an alternative education program during the preceding or current school year.

7. has been expelled during the preceding or current school year.

8. is currently on parole, probation, deferred prosecution, or other conditional release.

AT RISK CRITERIA THE STUDENT…

9. is a drop out (grade 9 dropout rate decreased from 9.4% for the class of 2009 to 7.3% for the class of 2010, and the actual number of dropouts declined by more than 5,800).

10. is a student of limited English proficiency.

11. is in custody or care of the Dept. of Protective & Regulatory Services, or has during the current school year, been referred to the DPRS by a school official, officer of juvenile court, or police.

12. is homeless.

13. resided in the preceding or current year or resides in the current school year in a residential placement facility in the district, including a detention facility, substance abuse treatment facility, emergency shelter, psychiatric hospital, halfway house, or foster group home.

INDIVIDUAL RISK FACTORS

History of violent victimization. Attention deficits, hyperactivity or learning disorders. History of early aggressive behavior. Involvement with drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Low IQ. Poor behavioral control. Deficits in social cognitive or information-processing

abilities. High emotional distress. History of treatment for emotional problems. Antisocial beliefs and attitudes. Exposure to violence and conflict in the family.

FAMILY RISK FACTORS

Authoritarian childrearing attitudes. Harsh, lax or inconsistent disciplinary practices. Low parental involvement. Low emotional attachment to parents or caregivers. Low parental education and income. Parental substance abuse or criminality. Poor family functioning.

Poor monitoring and supervision of children.

COMMUNITY RISK FACTORS

Diminished economic opportunities. High concentrations of poor residents. High level of transiency. High level of family disruption. Low levels of community participation. Socially disorganized neighborhoods.

INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Intolerant attitude toward deviance. High IQ. High grade point average. Positive social orientation. Religiosity. Connectedness to family or adults outside the

family.

INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY PROTECTIVE FACTORS Ability to discuss problems with parents. Perceived parental expectations about school

performance are high. Frequent shared activities with parents. Consistent presence of parent during at least one of

the following: when awakening, when arriving home from school, at evening mealtime or going to bed.

Involvement in social activities. Mentoring.

REMEDIATION

The sooner at-risk students are identified, the more likely that preventative "remediation" measures will be effective. Examples of remediation include Remediation programs. Tutoring. Child care services. Medical care. Substance abuse awareness programs. Bilingual instruction. Employment training. Close follow up procedures on truancy and absenteeism.

FREE WILL EXTRADIONAIRES

Tyler Perry- Abused by parents, and dropped out of high school. Writer/ director of the Madeafilm series, and numerous other movies.

Louis Braille- Bornblind. Invented braille writing.


Helen Keller – born deaf, blind, and unable to talk. Became well known political activist, and subject of a biographical film.

J.K. Rowling – suffered parental illness, domestic violence, and single parenthood. Author and creator of the Harry Potter series.


Harriet Tubman – Was born a slave, and was epileptic. Rescued slaves in underground railroad. Later became union spy, and suffragette.

Dave Mustaine - Grew up in abusive household. Abandoned by mother. Dropped out of high school. Sold drugs to support himself. Ended up addicted to alcohol and heroin. Co-founded the band Metallica, and founded Megadeth. Albums have sold 50 million copies, and has received 11 grammynominations. In spare time teaches under privalaged children how to play music, and heads a non-profit organization that donates musical equipment to schools with underfunded music programs.


Bernard Hopkins – Petty criminal by age 13. By 17 was in prison for 9 felonies. Unified middleweight boxing titles in 1990’s. Unified light heavyweight boxing titles in 2000’s. At 49 became oldest boxer to win the World Championship.

Ken Shamrock – Violent alcoholic family, and abandoned by parents, spent early life in group homes and juvenile detention facilities. Became first UFC Heavy weight champion, the first King of Pancrase, founded the first MMA training team (The Lions Den), and was one of the first two inductee’s into the UFC hall of fame.


Tito Ortiz – Child of heroin addicts, former gang member, spent time in juvenile hall, drug addict in early adolescence. Holds record for most Light Heavy Weight title defenses in UFC. Member of UFC Hall of Fame. CEO of Punishment Athletics

Charles Dickens– Poverty stricken childhood, father sent to debtors prison, at 12 left school to support family in factories. Became beloved author of A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, and numerous other classic books.

PERSONAL STORIES

Dr. Joan Strutton, Ph.D, LPC-S – Two time high school drop out. Teen mother. Denied educational opportunities in early life due to teen motherhood. Completed BS, MS, and Ph.D.

Michael S. Stagar IV – Abused by father. Abandoned by mother. Friends died or imprisoned at young age. Single parent. Diagnosed with depression. Army Officer, published thesis, completing LPC and LCDC.

Monica Tapia – Married at 12, Mother at 16. Poverty, 7th grade education, Completing MS.

Mary Jenkins- Teen mother. Divorced twice. B.S., M.A., completing LPC licensure.

QUESTIONS