Teen Parent Classrooms

The ELECT/CTC Teen Parent Classrooms is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Departments of Public Welfare and Education, administered locally as a partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and CISP. The mission of this initiative is to help teen parents complete their high school education, gain economic independence, and become the best parents they can be. ELECT/CTC Teen Parent Classrooms, located in 33 Philadelphia public high schools to provide pregnant and parenting teens the academic, health and social service supports needed to make a successful transition from high school to entry-level employment, additional training and/or post-secondary education.

In the past, many teens who were pregnant and/or parenting dropped out of school, which limited their opportunities to become self-sufficient. Now, with the ELECT/CTC Teen Parent Classrooms, more young mothers and fathers graduate and excel as parents, family members, employees and citizens. In the ELECT/CTC Teen Parent Classrooms, every resource is provided, and every effort is made, to keep these young mothers and fathers in school and to equip them with all of the academic, parenting and life skills that can lead to their success.

In each ELECT/CTC Teen Parent Classroom, direct support services are provided by a team of educationally qualified and specially trained professionals. Each team typically consists of a Site Administrator and Site Coordinator. Using this team approach while at the same time coordinating with families, school administrators, school staff, and outside social service agencies, means that the non-academic and the academic needs of each student in the program can be adequately and holistically addressed.

Every ELECT/CTC Teen Parent Classroom follows certain state-prescribed policies for instruction and reporting. However, staffs at each ELECT/CTC Teen Parent Classroom have a certain degree of flexibility to develop their program so as to take advantage of resources that exist within the surrounding area. Typically, these program enhancements involve partnering activities with local institutions and community groups. For example:

• Local hospitals and medical schools offer a variety of seminars and workshops, as well as service-learning and intern opportunities
• Local colleges and universities offer a range of educational and skill-building opportunities
• Local child- and family-focused nonprofit organizations provide a wealth of services
• Local agencies and institutions offer internships and other work-based learning opportunities.

Schools

Teen Parent Classrooms can be found at the following Philadelphia High Schools:

Contacts
Cheryl Phillips
Assistant Director of ELECT
cphillips@cisphl.org

Jennifer Pitt
Program Manager of ELECT
jpitt@cisphl.org