ERIC Number: ED342526
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1991-Mar-20
Pages: 9
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
How Rural Schools Can Build Alliances for At-Risk Youth.
Higbee, Paul S.
This article examines community-school alliances in three rural South Dakota schools that aim to help at-risk students. Takini School is located on the Cheyenne River Reservation and serves the Lakota Sioux Indians. The area has high unemployment rates, high dropout rates, and high alcohol and drug abuse rates. The school's alcohol and drug counselor invites the community to programs on "prevention and intervention" of drug and alcohol abuse. The school has consulted tribal elders for ideas to address the problems. Gene Thin Elk says that the alcoholic culture will disappear only when replaced by traditional Lakota values. A second school is located in Estelline, a farm and retirement town with 37 private businesses and nice neighborhoods. Despite the town's appeal, the economy is depressed and there is an alcohol problem. The school counselor has started an awareness group for students grades 7-12 who are children of alcoholics. She also chairs the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team, which is a coalition of school and community professionals. In addition, Estelline's program of academic restructuring emphasizes community input. Belle Fourche, a western style town involved mainly in ranching and mining, is part of an alliance of 12 school districts that provide residential and day programs for at-risk students. The cooperative brings a mobile lab to Belle Fourche to assess students at risk for future unemployment due to undiagnosed problems. A prescriptive plan is then developed for the student and a transitional care residence is provided for recovering from substance abuse. (KS)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A