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- All Subjects: Mentoring
- All Subjects: Foster
- Creators: Alvarado Hernandez, Ruby Rebecca
- Creators: Bartanen, Peter A.
The purpose of this action research study was to introduce an innovation aimed at helping eighth grade students improve their behavior control and behavior problems. The innovation consisted of a nine-week CAMP that paired eight eighth graders with eight eleventh graders at a charter school in Phoenix, Arizona. Mentors and mentees met twice a week before school with the purpose of addressing the behavior control and behavior problem goals that they co-created. Mixed-method data were collected: the quantitative data collection tools were pre- and post-intervention mentee surveys and teacher weekly behavior reports, and the qualitative data collection tools included mentee and mentor journal entries, researcher observations, and mentoring conversation checklists.
Results showed that mentors and mentees were able to develop positive close personal relationships with one another, as seen in the researcher observations. In addition to the development of positive relationships, researcher observations, and journal prompt entries provided data to support mentees meeting their goals and mentee self-identification of positive improvement in behavior problems and control. Conversely, there were no significant changes in behavior control and behavior problems as reported on the survey and teacher weekly behavior reports. Attendance and retention of students created challenges in accurately assessing the results of this program; however, consistent with the literature, this study suggests that CAMPs should be sustained longer and with consistent attendance to achieve goals.
Does a consistent mentor help a youth transition into a secure and independent adult life? To answer this, I have used a grounded theory methodology to research elements of the foster care system. Through academic research, I audited the landscape of mentoring within foster care and then helped in the designing of a framework for a foster youth mentoring service could look like and have researched the areas in which a mentor can benefit a youth. I have listened to and recorded the stories of three college students with lived foster care experience so that I could learn from those who have firsthand experience. After using these methods, the findings showed that a consistent mentor figure is a key factor in the transition into a secure and independent adult life.