Contact Name
Barbara Dietsch
562-985-9488

Contact Email
bdietsc@WestEd.org

Nancy Miller, Ph.D.
Sharon Adams-Taylor, M.A., MPH
American Association of School Administrators

"Education is more than reading and math and science and social studies. It is giving young people the survival skills that they need now to be successful in school, and skills they need later to be successful as adults.."

"We have to look at all of the alternatives to make kids more successful, with whatever resources we can bring into our schools to make that happen."

These are not the words of prevention specialists, although they could be. These are the lessons learned by the men and women who head up American school districts-in the nation's largest cities, in small and rural communities, in medium sized towns and suburbs. These are the words of school superintendents who took part in focus groups hosted by their professional organization, the American Association of School Administrators, (AASA) at its 1998 National Conference on Education. Focus group participants were selected because they represented a variety of geographic locations, school district types, and personal characteristics and professional experience. That a group so varied spoke with such unanimity suggests that their views are drawn from a deep and common understanding of the needs of children. And there wasn't a coward among them. They agreed firmly with colleagues who said:

"The superintendent certainly needs to be a risk-taker-You are looking at the statistics, you have to be willing to say 'this is the reality' and know that there are going to be some battle scars. You may be the one to get beat up, but it is important enough to put on the table so that the discussion begins."

The superintendents' focus groups are part of a larger national program supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH). With AASA, six other national associations form a Joint Work Group on School-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention: The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National Association of State Boards of Education, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Education Association, and the National School Boards Association.

The purpose of the AASA focus groups was to learn how school superintendents view their roles in preventing risk behaviors, especially teen pregnancy. Selected focus group questions and a summary of responses follow, including quotes which capture the consensus of participants.

Question: What Role Should Schools Have in Teen Pregnancy Prevention?

Participants were unanimous in viewing the school's role as a proactive one within the community, creating a place where open dialogue occurs. The emphasis should be on building assets for children, addressing social and cognitive needs of young people, and providing them with the supports to identify and stay focused on their dreams for the future. Participants also believe the school should be a partner with the community, not assume responsibility for this complex problem in isolation.

"The age when schools try to do it alone has passed."

"It's important to look at the kinds of supports kids have."

"In many communities the only stable institution left is the school and if we can bring all of the primary spokespersons who make decisions about children to the table and have discussion on the issue, whether it is teen pregnancy or AIDS or the health curriculum, then we have served a very, very important role."

Question: What Role Should the Superintendent Have in Teen Pregnancy Prevention?

Participants believe that the superintendent's role is to be a broker between the school and the community, facilitating and supporting discussion. He or she should help parents and communities understand that young people are sexually active and encourage coalitions and plans to address related issues. The superintendent should help to create and sustain the will to address the issues and should be a risk-taker.

"The role of the superintendent is to articulate that the problem exists and pose the question: 'What do you think the community needs to do to address this problem?' And this way, the superintendent becomes an equal participant. . .rather than the leader of the discussion."

"We certainly should be conveners-and find a way of not just setting goals, but deciding on how to monitor them."

"You do have to take risks-It won't be easy. Sometimes you will feel that you are alone."

Question: How Do You View Teen Pregnancy Prevention?

Every participant saw teenage pregnancy as one risk behavior among many. They viewed prevention comprehensively, within the context of educating the whole child to be a successful and productive adult.

"These are risk behaviors. . .whether it is the way they drive, the way they are involved with alcohol, these are all connected." "We need to pay attention to kids from the moment they come into school."

Question: What Can Superintendents Do Together through the American Association of School Administrators to Promote Prevention?

Participants believe there should be new organizational, programmatic, and funding initiatives. These include beginning earlier by addressing the needs of ages 0-3 and 3-5, providing full-time personnel to coordinate school and district prevention efforts, providing good teaching for decision-making, and creating a focus on relationships. They also believe that budget priorities need to be realigned and the way public funds flow into community-wide prevention should be reorganized. AASA's role should be to promote collaboration among associations and agencies and disseminate research and information about what works.

"Why should each of us, in our communities, be plowing the same ground. . .How can we share?"

"AASA should sponsor programs at the governors' conferences, the mayors' conferences and seek ways to collaborate for action at the national, state, and city levels."

"We need a national capacity to talk about what youth need-family support, adult communication, motivation to achieve-all the things that help kids be successful.."