Colorado needs to have a Student Advisory Youth Council

Nicole Montoya

Alexis Nevarez

Jesus Morales

Problem

The Problem

The problem in Colorado is that we as a state do not have a program that involves the students with the government. In 2006 our drop out rate in the Denver area was 50%. Students dropped out because they became board and uninterested in school. We believe that if students were involved in their school and education that more students would stay involved and in the classrooms.

Drop Out Problem

Students are our future when more students stay in school and stay involved in our schools the more they are likely to help make the schools and economy better.

When students are involved in a program like a State Student Advisory Board later on they will be more involved with their government whether its voting for a president or representative to becoming involved in the policies made for them.

Statistics

High school graduates will make about $10,000 more a year compared to a high school drop out.

MAPLETON 1 WESTMINSTER 50NORTHGLENN-

THORNTON 12

ADAMS COUNTY 14

CHEYENNE COUNTY

RE-5

WRAY SCHOOL DISTRICT

RD-2TRINIDAD 1

2007 290 305 1,441 589 3 5 1

Number of drop outs in Colorado: 18,027

Alternative Policies

Colorado HB 09-1099

Coro

Massachusetts State Student Advisory Council

Colorado HB 09-1099

Allows students to participate in the legislative branch of the government.

State treasury created a trust fund for youth advisory

Advantages

Increased youth participation in the state and local government

Engaged in civic process of the government

Can be used for scholarship money, internships, resumes

Disadvantages

Money Colorado is making cuts during the economic

recession. Funding?

Transportation Confidentiality

Coro Non- Profit Organization

Non- profit organization in New York City Funded by counselors and attorneys-

because they wanted a program that would help young adults get better at their leadership skills.

9 months long Teaches all aspects of public affairs. Students have to go through a rigorous

interview process to be accepted

Advantages

Helps students that struggle in school Gives students a chance to change their schools and

their communities Helps turn these great young students to great

ambassadors

Disadvantages

No major disadvantages Only 25 students are chosen may not reach

as many students as it could, some students that want to get in might not make it.

Massachusetts State Student Advisory Council

This alternative policy incorporates the students in the decision making of education policy and student rights with the State Board of Education.

The students are elected by their peers from school and they help initiate and carry through projects to make changes in the schools.

The Council is made up of five Regional Councils and the State Council every school has two delegates to the Regional Council and that Council elects eight delegates to the State Council.

Advantages

Gives students a voice: The students created a Non- Discrimination

Law for students rights.

Disadvantages

Money Privacy

Students will know all that goes on with the education boards that sometimes they may want to keep private.

Public Policy

Our Policy

We believe that Colorado should have a State Student Advisory Council. This policy would not only help the students get a voice but the government would get a better light into the education and schools in the state. This policy states that students will be able to attend meetings with the State Board of Education and State Legislature and they would be able to advise the representatives on whether the policies are good for the youth or if they are poor decisions for them.

Congressional districts

Action plan

How

Presenting our policy to the Colorado State Board of Education

Solving obstacles (money, transportation, confidentiality)

Working out minor details

Program Details

21 students to the council 3 students from each congressional district

Apply State Board of Education will choose the

students to represent the council 3 meetings a year

Fall Spring Summer

Supporters of Policy

Students Teachers

Mrs. Neuman-Lee from Welby New Technology High School said, “This can be a great idea because the state can get ideas from students. The only way that people can be influenced is by seeing the progress and the changes these students are making to help their schools and their community out.”

School Principals Parents

Opponents?

We don’t have any opponents at this time. Everyone right now likes the idea of a State Student Advisory Council.

Major Obstacle is money.

Work Cited

"2006 DROPOUT DATA." Colorado Department of Education Home Page. 27 Apr. 2009 <http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdereval/rv2007DropoutLinks.htm>.

"Colorado Congressional District Map." Colorado Department of Education Home Page. 16 Apr. 2009 <http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeboard/bdmap.htm>.

Colorado Department of Education Home Page. 27 Apr. 2009 <http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdereval/download/spreadsheet/2007Drops/2007-1-DropratesbyGenderGrade&Race.xls>.

"Colorado State Board of Education Index Page." Colorado Department of Education Home Page. 16 Apr. 2009 <http://www.cde.state.co.us/index_sbe.htm>.

"Dropout Rate by School District - Colorado - KIDS COUNT Data Center." KIDS COUNT Data Center - Home. 16 Apr. 2009 <http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/bystate/Trend.aspx?state=CO&order=a&loc=1384%2c1449%2c1397%2c1279%2c1310%2c1456%2c1439&ind=3706&dtm=7907&tf=18>.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 16 Apr. 2009 <http://www.doe.mass.edu/sac/html.>.

"Student Advisory Council." Email to Elaine G. Berman, Bob Schaffer, Randy DeHoff, Jane Goff, Peggy Littleton, Marcia Neal, and Angelika Schroeder. 16 Apr. 2009.