SOLUTION TO SCHOOL DROPOUT PROBLEM FOUND: Amazing New Program Significantly Increases Grades & Decreases School Dropout.

In the book Towards Greater Freedom & Happiness by Alfred A. Barrios, Ph.D. (amazon.com) dramatic positive results are presented of a comprehensive program for dealing with some of the key factors causing school dropout. There are four basic components to this program, called Magic of the mind (MOM), each addressing one of these key factors: (1) building self-efficacy (belief in one's capabilities) in the students; (2) teaching students learning skills; (3) teaching stress management and coping skills to the students; and (4) building self-efficacy and stress management skills in the teachers. Both student grades and dropout rates were significantly affected positively.

Press Release on School Dropout Program    Los Angeles, CA July1, 2003

The Body of the Press Release:

There is no doubt about a continued need for a more effective solution to the school dropout problem. It is felt that many of society's current problems can be traced to the high number of school dropouts. As pointed out by Senator Ted Kennedy, "Society pays for dropouts, too, through lost tax revenues, increased welfare costs and crime." The book Towards Greater Freedom and Happiness presents the essence of a highly effective program, called Magic of the Mind (MOM) for helping to eliminate the dropout problem.

The program attacks the dropout problem on four major fronts: (1) building greater self efficacy in students; (2) effective teaching of learning skills to students; (3) teaching stress management and coping skills to students; and (4) teaching stress management and building self-efficacy in teachers. Previous attempts at attacking the dropout problem via learning skills classes alone, without dealing first with the all-important - self-efficacy factor have proved fruitless. However, it is not a simple task to change the at-risk students deeply entrenched negative academic-self-beliefs. It is felt that this is the main reason it has proven so difficult to eliminate the high failure rate of students at-risk. What makes MOM such an effective program is its considerable belief-building capabilities - produced to a considerable extent by the immediate positive feedback aspects of the techniques used.

Initial tests of the program at East Los Angeles Community College with (predominantly Mexican American) students on scholastic probation have provided strong evidence of the programs effectiveness. In one study, 105 students in the MOM group and 89 students in a comparison group which was taught study skills only (the control group) were compared for grade points and dropout rate over a 1 1/2 year period. The MOM group increased an average of 3.8 grade points (Grade points = GPA x units completed) and had a dropout rate of 16% compared to the learning-skills-only control group which decreased an average of 5.45 grade points and had a dropout rate of 56%. Follow up studies at UCLA, Southwest College and Santa Monica College produced similar results. In addition to this phenomenal academic improvement there was also a dramatic side benefit of substance abuse control. In a total of 313 students that took part in the MOM program at all four schools the following success rates were achieved in overcoming addictions: marijuana 72%, cigarettes 73%; overeating 78%; cocaine 83%; and alcohol 92%. It was felt that this additional benefit was due to the programs ability to reduce overall stress, increase overall satisfaction with life and give students a greater sense of overall control. Most addictions can be traced to stress, depression and lack of control.

Studies have also been started with elementary through high school and have already achieved considerable positive anecdotal evidence in support of the program.

An article on the above Magic of the Mind Program for decreasing school dropout can also be found at the authors website: www.stresscards.com in the Dr. Barrios; Articles section.