ALAS

ALAS (Spanish for 'wings') is a dropout prevention intervention for middle and high school students identified as at risk due to low academic performance and behavior problems. Each student is assigned a counselor/mentor who monitors attendance, behavior, and academic achievement period-by-period. The intervention consists of six strategies: monitoring attendance with required make-up time for absences; teaching students problem-solving, self-control, and assertiveness skills through 10 weeks of instruction using the ALAS Resilience Builder curriculum in the first year plus follow-up instruction; providing weekly and daily feedback from teachers to parents and students about classroom behavior and assignments; training parents in parent-child problem solving and school participation; providing recognition and bonding activities; and connecting students and families with community services. ALAS is delivered on the school campus by a team of supervisors, counselors/mentors, volunteers, and clerical staff across multiple years. Staff and teachers receive training to deliver the problem-solving skills curriculum.