The Importance of Mentoring
on the Development of the
Whole Child
Kansas Governor’s Conference
on Mentoring
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Topeka
Perhaps the greatest idea
America has given the world
is the idea of education for all.
The world is entitled to know
whether this idea means that
everybody can be educated or
that everybody must go to
school.
Robert Hutchins
What is the major change we have been
pursuing over the past three decades?
From a focus on teaching to a focus on learning
-----------------------------From a focus on educational opportunity to a focus on
learning for all
-----------------------------From a focus on availability to a focus on
accountability
-----------------------------From a focus on accountability to a focus on
accountability and development of the whole child
What is the purpose of public
education in the United
States?
What is the “purpose” of public
education in the United States?
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To prepare children for citizenship
To cultivate a skilled workforce
To teach cultural literacy
To prepare students for college
To help students become critical thinkers
To help students compete in a global
marketplace
SCHOOL: The Story of American
Public Education (2001) PBS
What have been the goals for education
that have continued to shape U.S. policy
making?
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Basic academic skills – reading, writing, math,
science, history, civics, geography, and a
foreign language
Critical thinking and problem solving –
analyzing information, applying ideas to new
situations, and developing knowledge using
computers
Social skills and work ethic: communication
skills, personal responsibility, and getting
along with others from varied backgrounds
Rothstein, R., Wilder, T., and Jacobsen, R. (May, 2007). Balance in the balance.
Educational Leadership, 64(8), pp. 9-14
What have been the goals for education
that have continued to shape U.S. policy
making?
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Citizenship – public ethics, knowing how
government works, and participating by
voting, volunteering, and becoming active in
community life
Physical health – good habits of exercise
and nutrition
Emotional health – self-confidence, respect
for others, and the ability to resist peer
pressure to engage in irresponsible personal
behavior
Rothstein, R., Wilder, T., and Jacobsen, R. (May, 2007). Balance in the balance.
Educational Leadership, 64(8), pp. 9-14
What have been the goals for education
that have continued to shape U.S. policy
making?
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The arts and literature – participation in and
appreciation of musical, visual, and
performing arts as well as a love of
literature
Preparation for skilled employment –
qualification for skills employment for
students not pursuing a college education
Rothstein, R., Wilder, T., and Jacobsen, R. (May, 2007). Balance in the balance.
Educational Leadership, 64(8), pp. 9-14
What have we learned from research since
we have changed our focus to learning for
all?
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The early childhood years are critical to social and
academic development.
The later we remediate problems the more difficult
and more expensive they are to solve.
The most effective teachers know the subjects they
teach, know how to help others learn that subject,
and have an orientation toward students.
When looking at average achievement across all
students, the effect of the school accounts for no
more than 40% of the variation.
To increase the likelihood of helping more students
learn, a system of supports must be available to the
student when learning has not occurred.
So what does this
have to do with
mentoring?
How does mentoring relate to what
we are learning about child and brain
development?
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Bruce Perry, noted physician and
researcher on the development of
children and the brain, explains that
human beings have a neuro-biological
predisposition for relationships and the
number of these that young children now
experience has been steadily declining
What did we learn from the study
completed by the Edna McConnell
Clark Foundation?
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Youth participating in mentoring
relationships have few unexcused
absences, better attitudes and behaviors
at school, and better chances for going to
college.
Participating youth have less drug and
alcohol use and fewer delinquent
behaviors.
Participating youth improve their parental
relationships which in turn improves their
sense of self worth.
What have we learned from the
studies conducted by Big Brothers
and Big Sisters?
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46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
27% less likely to begin using alcohol
52% less likely to skip school
37% less likely to skip a class
more confident of their performance in
schoolwork
one-third less likely to hit someone
getting along better with their families
What have we learned from the
studies conducted by Big Brothers
and Big Sisters?
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64% developed more positive attitudes toward
school
58% achieved higher grades in social studies,
languages, and math
60% improved relationships with adults
56% improved relationships with peers
55% were better able to express their feelings
64% developed higher levels of self-confidence
62% were more likely to trust their teachers
What else have we learned about
the impact of mentoring?
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A study by the Northwest Regional Education
Laboratory concluded that “youth mentoring is a rapidly
growing strategy for improving academic performance
and promoting healthful social and behavioral choices”
WestEd, another of the regional labs, reported that “for
strengthening young people’s protective factors, the
‘big three’ are 1) caring relationships, 2) high
expectations, and 3) opportunities for participation and
contribution.
Of the 40 developmental assets that form the building
blocks for healthy youth development according to the
Search Institute, 10 percent of the assets involve the
involvement of caring adults in the lives of youth.
Closing Thoughts
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If we are to realize our dream and aspiration
of helping all of our children and youth learn
well and be prepared for a successful life,
then we must be willing to learn as much as
we can and be advocates for the
implementation of effective practices.
We must never forget that what a child learns
is important but who a child becomes is our
ultimate goal.
What a child learns and who they become
depends on making sure that every child and
youth have significant adults in their lives.