The Power of Mentoring

It is well known that a exists between white students and black and Latino students. We can most clearly see the reality of this gap in the chronically poor academic performance by the majority of the public schools here in our own community. 

The efforts of education reformers to close this gap and provide quality education to all students have largely been focused on trying to improve test scores. Robust discussions around and have also been central to efforts to improve outcomes for students in urban schools. 

But left on the sidelines of the school reform discussion is what some believe to be the most impactful lever in erasing the academic disparities that currently exist: positive, stable relationships between kids and caring adults. The powerful effects that these relationships have on the behaviors of young people have been previously underestimated by researchers. 

In fact, current research is indicating that consistent interactions with competent adults through structured mentoring relationships can lead to significant gains in student achievement.

For some, all of this might sound like a no- brainer: Put kids into contact with adults who care about them, and they will perform better. But when the high levels of childhood poverty that afflict our community are factored into the equation, this simple solution is much easier said than done.  Research shows that poverty erodes the social fabric needed to develop safe and stable adult relationships. As a result, the supply of competent positive adult influences children have access to is effectively diminished.

So while all of the resources and schedules in our schools have been directed to supporting test prep, very little has been done in terms of structures and curriculum to support fostering the critical adult relationships. As a result, many schools and parents are looking to mentoring as a way to fill this gap. 

Mentoring comes in a variety of forms: For example, there are mentors who specifically work to guide students through the college admissions process; there are mentors who help students explore job and career options; and there are mentors whose role is less specific and are just asked to “be there” for their mentees. 

Here are a few of the latest, most innovative mentoring programs that are rising to meet the challenge and providing opportunities for people to serve as mentors:

• National CARES Mentoring Movement - The need for mentoring has been highlighted by the efforts of , the former editor and chief of Essence magazine.  Her concern for the academic and social wellness of young black people led her to found the that has a local affiliate right here in Brooklyn.  She was alarmed by when she learned that 86% of blacks are reading below grade level, but she also believed that these grim statistics could be turned around with the hearts, minds and efforts of concerned adults becoming involved in the lives of children.  

• iMentor -  Has a unique blended contact model where mentors meet with their mentees once a month in person, but commit to stay connected via email at least once a week.  They embrace a model that consists of a whole school partnership, providing every student in a school with a mentor.  

• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of NYC – One of the oldest and highest profile mentoring organizations, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of NYC seeks “to provide mentors to all children who need caring adult role models. . .” True to the stated mission of the organization, they have expanded their efforts to support young people who are involved in the juvenile justice system.   

• Mentoring Partnership of New York – This organization is not a mentoring organization itself, but it links individuals and organizations from different sectors to existing mentoring organizations serving young people in New York.  They advocate for the expansion of quality mentoring opportunities and serve as a resource for mentoring organizations citywide. 

You can also find additional opportunities through local churches, schools and civic organizations. 

The change that our kids need to make in the classrooms can only happen if they are supported and encouraged by stable adults. Mentoring provides us with the opportunity to give this powerful gift to every one of our children.