Alternative High Schools for Young Teen Mothers
Despite numerous programs designed to reduce teenage pregnancy, the rate of pregnancies among teens continues to rise. Many pregnant teens don't finish high school because of pregnancy and post-partum medical issues, inability to fulfill assignments, child care issues or lack of supportive mentors among school personnel. Alternative high schools for young teen mothers attempt to address these issues and help teen mothers complete their high school education.
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Peer Support
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Alternative high schools offer an opportunity for young women who are either pregnant or have a child to interact with other adolescents who cope with the same issues, questions and difficulties. The mothers provide a support group for one another as they struggle to complete their high school education and build a future while they learn good parenting skills.
Supportive Staff
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Schools for young teen mothers build a staff of professionals that can provide counseling, support and other specialized care for the mothers. Teen mothers in high school must juggle schoolwork, child care and sometimes outside employment. The educators and social workers who work with these young mothers receive specialized training that allows them to meet the needs of their student population.
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Child Care
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Difficulties managing child care requirements force many young teenage mothers to drop out of school. Alternative high schools that educate teen mothers provide child care as a part of their daily schedule. The child care arrangement offers the young mothers needed time during school hours to concentrate on their coursework and succeed in their studies. In addition, for several hours each day, the young mothers can act and feel like adolescents without the responsibilities of caring for their children.
Assignment Flexibility
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Teachers at alternative high schools for young mothers give their students leeway in their assignment deadlines and academic requirements to allow the mothers to care for their children and their own medical needs. Teen mothers in traditional high schools often drop out because they can't keep up with their peers academically. Pregnancy and motherhood often have associated medical problems, and babies and toddlers frequently need to stay home because of illnesses. Alternative school staff will make allowances for mothers who must cope with these absences, encouraging the young mothers to complete their education.
Parenting Skills
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Young mothers who attend alternative schools can learn parenting skills through the parenting classes given at the school. In addition, the day care staff that cares for the children at the school during school hours will assist the young mothers to develop good parenting behaviors through modeling, advising and counseling.
Vocational Education
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Alternative high schools for young mothers include vocational education as part of their curriculum to help young mothers learn trades and skills that will allow them to build careers after high school. Young mothers may not look beyond their high school graduation, but when a young mother graduates with a vocational skill, it gives her a headstart in supporting herself and her child.
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References
- "Washington Post"; Rise in Teenage Pregnancy Rate Spurs New Debate on Arresting It; Rob Stein; January 2010
- Factors Influencing High School Dropout Among Teenage Mothers Using Measurement Development; Valerie McGaha-Garnett and Hansel Burley; March 2009
- "New York Magazine"; Truth and Consequences at Pregnancy High; Alex Morris; May 2009
- NewsOK: Oklahoma City Program Gives Teen Moms Shot at Diploma; Carrie Coppernoll; January 2011
- Sunbeam Family Services: Emerson Alternative High School Early Head Start
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
