The Pathways to Education Program™ provides key support to ensure that a high proportion of youth will successfully complete high school, continue on to post-secondary programs and become actively engaged in their career development. The program works to increase academic retention and success for high school students within vulnerable and high-risk communities.
The Pathways to Education Program™ was first introduced in Toronto’s Regent Park, a community where the high school dropout rate had climbed to 56%, as an initiative to combat poverty and increase the educational opportunities for youths living in this area. Pathways to Education (http://pathwaystoeducation.ca/home.html) has since expanded to six communities in Greater Toronto, Ottawa, Kitchener and Montréal.
A Solid Partnership: Toujours ensemble and Pathways to Education
Recognizing the shared goal of combating high school drop out and reducing poverty, Toujours ensemble partnered with Pathways to Education Canada in 2007 to implement this program in Verdun and became the first organization in Quebec to reproduce this model from Toronto. Headed by Mathieu Sage, the program has already made an important impact in the academic achievement of TE students. (See “TE Testimonials). This is even more striking when taking into account the fact that program participation had doubled from its first year.
How it works: 4 Types of Support
1. Academic Support
Volunteers help students complete their homework and provide tutoring. Each student must participate in two homework program sessions per week.
2. Social Support
Students participate in group activities such as theatre, arts and crafts or discussion groups at least once per week.
3. Financial Support
$500 is deposited in a bursary fund for every year each student participates. This adds up to $2500 saved for post-secondary education or professional training when they graduate.
The program also supports the family by helping with school supplies, books and school uniforms. Bus fare and lunch vouchers are also available, because even small financial barriers may be just as restrictive.
4. Personal Support
Each student is matched with a Student Parent Support Worker. They are employed full time to support students, monitor their school attendance and meet with them to discuss their progress. They have access to report cards, detailed attendance reports and are in contact with the family.
