|
|
|
| Program puts kids on FAST track | |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, Mar 30,1999 By Cindy Ramos Mention of school used to bring a frown to 9-year-old Abraham Rios' usually sunny face. That was two months ago, before he crossed the FAST graduation stage. "He used to say, 'I hate school, mom. I hate school.' Ever since he started this program, I haven't heard him say that," says Abraham's mother, Mary Rios. "Now, I don't even have problems of him getting up in the morning. Now, he gets up and he's ready to roll." FAST, an acronym for Families and Schools Together, is a national program that aims to improve a child's self-esteem and school performance by strengthening the family unit and increasing parental involvement in school. To accomplish such lofty goals — in just eight weeks — seems pie-in-the-sky. But national statistics and studies show the FAST program is working. Accolades from the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Harvard University give the program prestige, but anecdotes paint a clearer picture. Just ask Abraham, a second-grader at Palo Alto Elementary School. "School is fun," he says. More importantly, Abraham is learning how to read. Reading big words was a challenge before FAST. Abraham's father, Arthur Rios, says his son's math grades have risen. He's more respectful and attentive at home, dad adds. At school, teachers have removed Abraham from speech therapy because of his marked improvement. Abraham once had a "didn't care" attitude about school, says Palo Alto counselor Kevin J. Murray. "He's much more motivated now," Murray says. "He has confidence, and he feels better around other kids." Stories like Abraham's are common in FAST. The Wisconsin-based program operates in 33 states, Washington, D.C., Canada and Australia. The San Antonio area has the largest program in the country: 22 schools in Bexar and Zavala counties offer FAST. Since its inception in San Antonio in 1994, FAST has helped 880 families, 3,056 children and 1,457 parents. In San Antonio, FAST is the largest program administered by Family Service Association. The Northside, San Antonio, South San Antonio, Crystal City and La Pryor school districts incorporate FAST in some or all of their schools. The goal is to expand the program into other Bexar County school districts and into middle schools, officials say. How does it work? Parents and students in FAST attend two-hour weekly sessions at their school. A team made up of a school representative, a FAST facilitator, a drug and alcohol counselor, and a parent, usually a FAST graduate, leads about 15 families. The evening begins with a dinner, paid for by FAST but provided by a family each week. To teach respect, kids must serve their parents a plate of food before they can get a plate. The evening consists of specific exercises designed to increase communication and respect between parents and children. Parents also have a chance for group discussions about whatever is on their minds. And parents are assigned homework: They must spend 15 minutes with their children every day — doing whatever their child wants to do. After a few sessions, FAST officials see barriers break down between parents and the school. Parents' involvement in the school increases, and children have a new respect for their parents, who are treated as equal partners with teachers and counselors in their children's education. "I've seen it in a week," says FAST trainer Kristy Walston of the changes in students. "It's because the kids realize how important they are and school is because their parents are stopping their lives and coming to the school." The implied message from parent to student is: "I care about your education," Walston says. Palo Alto Elementary, in the South San Antonio School District, has offered the eight-week FAST program to students and parents for the past five years. At first, Murray was skeptical; he had seen many programs in his 13 years as an educator and counselor. "But within a couple of weeks, the results we saw in the parents and the kids were amazing," Murray recalls. "We see a big improvement in kids with behavior problems because they realize they must be accountable at school, as well as at home." Parents, along with other family members who attend sessions (everyone from aunts to grandfathers), also graduate with their children from FAST. Parents usually go on to join FASTWORKS, a parental support and involvement group made up of FAST graduates. FAST also incorporates speeches on drug abuse prevention. Parents know they can approach the FAST team for help with any problem. As changes are seen in students, parents, too, change in their ways. "It's not necessarily a parenting education class, but because of FAST, parents feel good about themselves, and they are empowered to do other things," Walston says. National research shows 34 percent of FAST's parent graduates pursue a GED or college degree, and 70 percent increase their involvement in their children's schooling. Studies also show a 20- to 40-percent increase in the attention span and self-esteem of students, and a similar decrease in disorderly conduct. Walston has seen parents leave violent family situations, kids leave gangs and adults seek help for substance abuse. For Arthur and Mary Rios, they are thankful a teacher referred their son to FAST. Having five grown children, they felt their parenting skills were becoming lax with their sixth, Abraham. Now, they say they are much more confident parents. As for Abraham, learning is a joy. After he masters reading, he'd like to move on to bigger things, such as his career aspiration — an FBI agent. © 1999 San Antonio Express-News |
|
|
|
|
|
If you are interested in additional information, or would like to set up a Families Worldwide Chapter in your community, please feel free to contact us via e-mail. Families Worldwide Send comments and mail to Webmaster |
Home