Student Mentoring Program

Measures to desegregate schools in Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely

In March 2007 the local government of Szeged and the Szeged Roma Minority Government initiated the close-down of Móra Ferenc Primary School, which is located near to the local Roma disctrict (Cserepes sor). Over the years this school had become segregated due to its location as pupils were all from disadvantaged backgrounds, approximately 80 percent of them being Roma and the majority being low achievers. As a result of the desegregation measures pupils from the school were transferred to 11 other institutions in Szeged (2-3 pupils per class). Their teachers (teacher mentors) were also displaced to the same schools to mentor and help the pupils in the new environment. After a similar desegregation measures in Hódmezővásárhely, three addition school joined to the program from this city in 2008. From the academic year of 2009/2010 there are 11 schools in the program from Szeged, Hódmezővásárhely and Algyő, a village close to Szeged.

Objectives of the Student Mentoring Program

Within the Student Mentoring Program 35 pre-service teachers (student mentors) help the integration of pupils into their new classes both socially and academically under the supervision of mentoring teachers. Mentoring students spend 6-8 hours a week in schools. Their job involves regularly meeting mentees, monitoring the development of mentees, tutoring mentees, being in contact with mentees’ parents, organising programs to foster community building, cooperating with mentees and teachers to solve school-related problems, collecting data for statistics and dealing with paperwork.Within the Student Mentoring Program pre-service teachers obtain experience in school work, a considerable advantage on the labour market. In addition, they get a grant for 10 months. From the third year of the program besides grantees there are volunteer mentors participating in the program as well. They have to spend minimum 2 hours a week in the school.

Student mentors

The selection process of student mentors is based on CVs, motivation letters and interviews. Student-mentors are pre-service teachers in their third, fourth or fifth year at the University of Szeged. The majority of student mentors already have experience in tutoring and teaching languages as well as organising spare time activities for pupils such as handicrafts and sporting programs.

Training student mentors

As part of their teacher training, student mentors are expected to enrol in two courses (one per semester) organised by the Institution of Education at the University of Szeged. The seminars involve getting acquainted with the Roma culture, teaching methods in multicultural educational settings, the needs of children from disadvantaged backgrounds and the principles of mentoring. At the same time, the courses provide a forum for exchanging information concerning personal experiences with an aim to enhance the efficiency of the mentoring program.

From the second year on, the program provides accredited trainings for the students. The first training was on innovative teaching methods, the second one was on effective learning techniques. These trainings help the student mentors prepare for their work in schools and develop their teaching skills and competences.

The program also gives special attention to the team building of the mentors. At the beginning of the academic year students spend two days together, when they have the chance to get to know each other by playing games fostering community, dealing with the topics of problem solving, empathy and communication.

Working towards a successful program

This homepage and a discussion board both contribute to the success of the Student Mentoring Program. They provide a platform for the ongoing discussion and for sharing experiences, findings and fostering a cooperative learning community.

In addition, quarterly workshops are organised for teacher mentors and student mentors with the aim of creating an opportunity for exchanging strategies and experiences. In addition, a field trips supply a chance for student mentors to learn about the findings of other institutions.

The Student Mentoring Program with the help of Institute of Education does a research on the effects of mentoring. With the participation of pupils not mentored before, the reading skills and the learning motivation of the children are measured.

The dissemination of the program stated from the year 2009. A national conference was organised in November, 2009 where the representatives of municipalities, teachers training institutions and elementary schools were invited.