fast forward

FAST FORWARD

A Review of the FAST Curriculum@ the TACOLCY Center

Here’s The Story….

Youth who are suspended from school are:–Bad–Disrespectful–Cause Problems–Destined to Dropout–Delinquent

But Are They?

Is it possible to view Youth through a different lens?

Is It Possible…..

That Youth are:ExpressiveInnovativeFuture LeadersAn Investment

This Presentation…

Examines a Shift in THINKING about:

• Youth as PROBLEMS or

• Youth as POWERFUL,

Agents of Change

Challenged To Make A Difference

The FAST ModelThis presentation will review a teaching MODEL

called FAST: Families Assistance with Suspension and Termination

It is used for Youth who are frequently suspended from school.

But, does it work to reduce at-risk behaviors and,

Can it be implemented to Empower Youth to re-engage in school?

FAST Program ToDay

IS:• An alternative to Outdoor Suspension• A learning model that equips scholars with life

skills that addresses behavior modification• The Making Excellent Choices Curriculum• A Character Education training program

Youth Recruitment• Youth in FAST are:– referred to TACOLCY as a result of being suspended

from school for 3-10 days– Disproportionately Black & Latino males

• Top 5 Causes for Suspension are:1.Disruptive Behavior (exactly, what is this?)2.Fighting3.Truancy/ Skipping4.Smoking/Distribution of Marijuana5.Stealing

Being Suspended….

• Has a Negative Stigma• Dictates that Youth are Bad and should be

removed from school• Separates Youth from their Education• Sends a Disempowered message to Youth• Says, Youth are Not welcome

Families Have 2 Choices

1. Youth stay home from school

Or

2. Youth experience the FAST program at TACOLCY

Statistics Suggest…..

Should We Be Concerned?

Should We Be Asking WHY?

• Increasing rates of youth are suspended in the public schools.

• Reasons are more & more outrageous.

• Are Youth rights being violated?

• Should we be advocating for policy changes?

Can FAST Do More?

FAST is A:

Movement 2 Positive Development

Victims 2 Advocates

A Shift in Thinking

Moving 4ward

Cultivating Leaders Must B Deliberate

How Can We Empower Youth

How Do We…..

• Expose Youth Value and

• Shift Public Thinking– about Youth as the Future

• Create a SPACE………………– to explore school policies around suspension

• Think about WHAT could be Different

We CAN…..

UTILIZE Technology

We CAN…

Use MOVIES to promote messages

We CAN….Change the Discourse to

Give Youth Voice & Choice

Encourage Youth Expression

College/Career Experiences

Youth As:

•Peer Educators•Mayor’s Youth Council•Youth Advisory Council•Youth Board Members•Youth Action Teams•Youth Research Teams•Youth Producers

Youth Empowerment Strategies

Strengthen Youth-Adult Partnerships

Be True to the Process

Lessons Through Leadership

Identity Development, Identity Support

Help youth understand who they are, where they came from, and what their heritage offers them.Armed with an understanding of their own identity, young people can appreciate their own cultures, understand how historic injustices affect them, and use this knowledge to make positive changes.

(Lewis-Charp, Yu, Soukamneuth & Lacoe, 2003

Cultural Connections

Civic Activism

Civic activism provides a forum for youth

to reflect on and address the day-to-day

challenges faced by them, their families and

communities.

“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”- MLK, Jr.

MISSION POSSIBLEThe Shift from Youth

as Problems to Youth as Leaders is Mission Possible.

The Time is NOW!!!!!

We Need to Move FAST

Empowered Youth Lead

THE END

For more information:Visit: www.tacolcy.org

Email: tacolcy@tacolcy.org