News (AP) - Michigan's dropout crisis addressed by OMC

The Oakland Mediation Center (OMC) will attend the Michigan State Dropout Prevention Summit: "Moving Students Up Not Out" at the Doubletree Hotel Detroit/Dearborn on Wednesday and Thursday, August 11-12, to present programs proven to address Michigan's Dropout Crisis. Currently, approximately 15% of students drop out of school every year statewide due to poor grades, poor attendance and disengagement in class. This crisis damages Michigan's economy. Dropouts earn less, pay fewer taxes and are more likely to collect welfare and turn to a life of crime. If Michigan could raise male graduation rates by 10% the state would save approximately $560 million every year, including almost $350 million in reduced crime costs. OMC's programs impact the identified risk factors of Poor Attendance; Behavior (low educational expectations, misbehavior, early aggression, high-risk peer group, high-risk social behavior, highly socially active outside school, sibling has dropped out, lack of conversations about school); and Course (lack of effort, low commitment to school, no extracurricular activities, low achievement, retention/over-age for grade and low parental contact with school). OMC's evidence-based, sustainable and cost-effective programs focus on individual student needs and work in tandem with school-wide interventions that address grade-level needs to combat Michigan's dropout problem. Exceptional statistics back the effectiveness of Peers Making Peace, the only research-based peer mediation program that encourages students to resolve their own disputes, resulting in a 75% drop in expulsions, 90% drop in assaults, and 58% drop in discipline referrals. OMC is the only certified Trainer of Trainers for Peers Making Peace in Michigan. OMC's programs also include Second Step, a violence prevention program that helps students develop and practice fundamental social skills, resulting in 78% improved social competence, 41% less adult intervention in minor conflicts, 42% less aggressive behavior, and a 37% greater likelihood of students choosing positive social goals; and Olweus Bullying Prevention, a program designed to reduce and prevent instances of bullying and improve peer relations, which contributes to a 20-70% overall reduction in student reports of being bullied and bullying others. OMC is one of a select few organizations certified to train the current Second Step curriculum, and one of only four certified Olweus Bullying Prevention trainers in Michigan. OMC offers Truancy Prevention through Mediation, which addresses the root cause of attendance problems to reduce absenteeism by 50% and incidents of tardiness by 65%; and Victim/Offender Mediation, a restorative practice that works to restore losses and right wrongs caused by an offense, resulting in a 34% reduction in juvenile recidivism. "OMC's mission is to help the community peacefully resolve conflict through mediation and education," said Bonnie Hanes, OMC Executive Director. "We believe the greatest impact OMC can have on our community is by preparing our youth for the future". For more information, contact Kenzi Bisbing, Youth Services Manager at kbisbing@mediation-omc.org or (248) 338-4280, ext. 216 or visit the website at www.mediation-omc.org. Published: Wed, Aug 11, 2010

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