The transition from one school to another or from one cycle to another is one of the risk factors associated with dropping out. In the Estrie region in 2005-2006, 39% of CEGEP students left school without getting a diploma. In addition, only 13.7% of estriens received a CEGEP certificate or diploma compared to 14.5% for all of Quebec.
Faced with this situation, the Projet PRÉE chose to focus on this issue and launch a mentoring pilot project in cooperation with the Cégep de Sherbrooke. The goals of this project are to:
1- Promote educational perseverance of high school students and encourage them to go to CEGEP;
2- Become aware of the reality factors that high school students face when making decisions that can have a negative impact on carrying out their plans in terms of career choices;
3- Better prepare high school students for CEGEP and thus ease their transition to CEGEP.
A number of activities, including video conferencing, blogs and/or the physical presence of college-mentors, are planned to introduce Level 5 students to CEGEP life. Various topics are presented: the educational structure of CEGEP, resource people, residence life, balancing work and school, schedules, etc. The themes are all conducive to helping high school students become more aware of the new world that awaits them!
Currently, only a few high schools in French-language school boards are taking part in this pilot project. This initiative is also being prepared for the English-speaking community.
This project has an impact on three
priority intervention areas of the TECIÉ's action plan. First, it provides constant supportive care and attention from significant, committed adults, then the expression and persistence of high expectations in terms of both the academic commitment of youth and their success and, lastly, the recourse to practices that are recognized for their ability to give meaning to learning.
