Help for struggling students

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 | 2:06 a.m.

Project Crossroads, started by Nevada State College in 2007, gives academic and personal attention to struggling middle school students. The goal is to get the students to overcome their difficulties, stay in school and eventually enroll in college.

The effort, which features large group sessions four times a year, is showing good results. The Sun’s Emily Richmond reported that 77 percent of the 146 students who participated during the program’s first year showed improvement in at least one of three key areas — grades, attendance and behavior.

Last year the college enlarged the program by enlisting Nevada State College students to act as mentors at Burkholder Middle School. Of the 15 students mentored, 14 passed eighth grade.

Based on that result the program’s organizers decided that this year all 14 participating Clark County School District middle schools will be assigned mentors.

This year’s program kicked off Wednesday at the Henderson Convention Center, where more than 150 students were offered $500 scholarships to NSC — an incentive to begin picturing themselves as capable of graduating from high school and enrolling at the college.

This program is innovative and invaluable. Too many times in middle schools across the country the only students who receive formal recognition are those who excel in areas including academics and sports. That recognition is deserved, but the students who are struggling need recognition, too, in the form of friendly help.

Many students have problems at home or in other areas of their lives that leave them discouraged about school. Nevada State College President Fred Maryanski is right when he says these are exactly the students whom mentors should be encouraging to believe in themselves and set college as a goal.

Project Crossroads is funded through a grant from the Nevada Public Education Foundation and money donated by private individuals, including Bill Wortman, co-founder of Cannery Casino Resorts, who this year gave $25,000.

Owing to this kind of support, many students have a much better chance for a bright future.