CHOICES Champion

CHOICES NEWS:

As we close the first quarter of 2010, we thought it might be good to take a look at the newest CHOICES metrics from the 2009-2010 academic year:

• 179 program sites managed (in 38 US states and 3 Canadian provinces)
• 1,518 presenters delivered
• 17,242 volunteer hours donated
• 136,620 students served
• All for less than $5 per teen served

In the face of tough economic times, we feel these statistics are fantastic. And, we thank you so much for your part in helping keep teens "into" school!

CHOICES FIELD REPORT

The ninth grade class at Perry High School in Chandler, AZ was looking forward to their CHOICES experience, especially after their teacher had prepared them so well. But unfortunately the scheduled presenter had to cancel at the last minute, and no one else was available to cover. What was a teacher to do? Easy answer for Angela Gardner…after hosting CHOICES only once in her classroom in the past, Angela simply led the workshop herself.

CHOICES Program Manager Hal Wochholz was so impressed with Angela’s bold move that he arranged for the president of the Sun Lakes Rotary Club to present Angela with a “Rotary Special Achievement Award for CHOICES Instruction.” Hal said of the experience, “In my 16 years of giving CHOICES presentations , I have never heard of a teacher with no training and only the experience of witnessing one CHOICES presentation giving the two day CHOICES course. WOW – What an achievement!” Sun Lakes Rotary Club President Morris Johnson is pictured above with Angela and her award. Congratulations, Angela!

Editor’s Note: It is very important for presenters to meet their commitment when scheduled to deliver CHOICES. Fortunately , the situation above turned out well because of a very skilled and resourceful teacher. Two lessons here – (1) always have a back up plan in the unlikely event that a presenter absolutely must cancel (email us at info@choices.org to ask about our “Emergency Call List”), and (2) make sure the teacher stays in the classroom during your CHOICES workshop…it’s the law…and they may save your bacon someday!

CHOICES MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE MONTH

Increasing Student Survey Response Rates

An anonymous CHOICES Presenter recently offered this great tip to get more CHOICES Surveys back from students. “I made an overhead of the survey and filled in the appropriate information at the top and then read each question of the survey to the students. This paces the student and helps them to truly remember each activity. As a result we now average about 90% completed surveys with more accurate answers--not just bubbling in a response.” Whoever you are…thanks for sharing it with us!