As an Advocate for Dallas CASA, I have seen firsthand the impact that family instability has on student achievement. In my role, I advocate for the educational, health and emotional needs of children under CPS conservatorship.
These kids experience abuse and/or neglect, are taken away from their parents, then moved at least twice before we get them to a stable home environment. Once there, it’s amazing to see them go from C students with behavior problems to A students winning the “model citizen” award.
Community partners are critical to the success of large urban school districts by stabilizing families and supporting students when their parents don’t.
This article on DISD’s website about the Patton Drop-In Center is a beautiful example of communities and schools working together to help stabilize student lives.
The last line is the best: “This is where I began to feel good about myself.”