ABC Education Initiative

Over the past six years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri has seen marked success through its ABC Education Initiative in helping students in the Cape Girardeau School District.

"ABC" -- which stands for Attendance, Behavior and Classroom success in reading and math -- is a pilot program launched in Cape Girardeau now nationally recognized.

The program's success is based on a multiyear effort of mentors staying with young students in the district and tracking their progress in school. While early results were lacking, over the course of a couple years student attendance increased, behavior referrals dropped, and math and reading scores improved.

At the end of March, 219 students were active in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott County. Among these students, 176 are enrolled in Cape Girardeau's school district and tracked through the ABC initiative.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri recently announced its "Mobilization Plan for Ensuring the Success of Our Children" which addresses the importance of mentoring. Nancy Jernigan, United Way executive director, said that when you develop relationships like Big Brothers and Big Sisters does, you're more likely to care about that person, including how they are doing in school.

The program's results are further confirmation that mentoring is an important component to helping students succeed in school and in life. Thank you to all those who volunteer their time though mentoring.