=====Middle School Archive Project=====
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The dropout solution is to connect students with their own futures, their own stories, in as credible a manner as possible. Each student must know what dropping out means to their future opportunities. They must understand the real value of education, the connections it holds to their past as well as their future. This message must be delivered in a manner students will accept and believe. Statements by teachers are not enough. Research studies and statistics alone are not enough. Statements by parent too often fail. Students must be placed in a situation where they can discover this message themselves, and embrace it! Schools need to be more active in this effort.

One way schools can connect students with their own futures was started in Dallas at an inner-city middle school in 2005. The project is called The Middle School Archive Project.  That first 8th grade class to write letters for the vault became members of the Graduation Class of 2009.  It was the largest graduation class at both of the high schools that received almost all of the School Archive Project students!  The Archive Project is described in more detail at www.studentmotivation.org. It is a popular program, especially with students. 

Since 2005/2006 the 11th and 12th grade enrollments have gone up over 5% in all 32 Dallas ISD high schools in spite of a 2% decline in total enrollment. This represents an increase of 758 upper class students.  However over 55% of these students, 417 of them, are in just two of the 32 DISD high schools, the two high schools almost all School Archive Projects Students attend: Pinkston and Sunset. Something very positive is happening!   

The Archive Project involves a 10-year time-capsule system that provides a physical connection to the student's future. The Archive itself is a 500-pound vault, bolted to the floor in the school lobby and under spotlights. It has 10 shelves inside to hold letters from the 8th grade students for 10 years. The letters are held until the 10-year reunion for each class. Each classes shelf must be cleared of letters so another class can have the same shelf for their letters to continue the tradition. Thus students always place an address on the envelope they use to hold their letter. It should be an address at which they may receive mail in 10 years if they are unable to come back for the 10-year reunion to pick up their letter themselves.

Students write their letter to themselves the last month of their 8th grade. This letter is about their achievements and stories from their life. It will document their efforts toward personal growth and their goals.  It is recommended that it not be mandatory that they write the letter.  That is a decision best left between them and their Language Arts teacher. However, only students who have written letters can participate in having their photo taken with the others in the class who wrote letters.

At this same time parents and others important in the students lives are encouraged to also write letters to the students about their dreams and hopes for the child.  The students then bring these letters to place with their own inside the letter to be placed into the vault. This adds a very valuable element to the project.

Students who have written letters will be able to pose with their letter, and their teacher, and the other members of their Language Arts class who wrote letters, in front of the Archive for a photo. After the photo they each, one by one, place their envelope into the Archive themselves.  They will receive a copy of that group photo with information on the back about the Archive Project and the date for their 10-year reunion. Students immediately value these photos and sign each others photos after receiving them.

Almost all students say they will be back for the reunion. Even if only 5% return, a powerful witness will begin. At this reunion of 23-24 year old alumni they will be able to open the Archive and receive their letter back. They will also be asked about talking with current 8th graders about their experiences and any advice they would give the students. This "10 years of Wisdom Talk" will focus on questions like, "Would you do anything different if you were 13 again?"

With the 10-year reunions happening, each middle school student will see more clearly the focus on the future. They will be encouraged and challenged to think of what they will be doing in 10 years. How will they achieve those goals? As former graduates return to meet with students, students would hear from those who had gone before them 10 years earlier. What lessons will these alumni have to share?

If managed properly the annual mentoring value from returning alumni could become a priceless tradition to the benefit of not only current students but teachers as well. 

The summer of 2009 four more schools in Dallas started School Archive Projects. The benefits should begin to spread as more students think more seriously about their futures. 

See more current updates at www.studentmotivation.org.