Created, tested, revised and refined over the past 19 years, the MGP methodology for student change is rooted in research-based theories.
Midnight Golf Program participants have a much higher college graduation rate than the national average for African Americans.
Midnight Golf Program participants have a much higher college graduation rate (60 percent) than the national average for African American students (40 percent) and a five times higher rate than other Detroit young people.
“Only about 4 in 10 (41 percent) of African American students who start college as first-time, full-time freshmen earn bachelor’s degrees within six years — a rate 22 percentage points below that of their White peers.” — The Education Trust, 2017
Positive Peer Influence
Friends with admirable characteristics or talents can motivate their peers to achieve and act the same. Peers can encourage each other to study hard at school and can also help them think more creatively.
“I’ve met a lot of people who really know where they are going in life. It’s nice to feed off of that energy.” –Taylor C., student, class of 2017
STAD (Student Teams achievement Divisions) Cooperative Learning Method
Mixed groups stimulate peer interaction and learner-to-learner cooperation while fostering successful learning for all.
Rigor, Relevance and Relationships framework
Higher standards of student achievement involves engaging students in quality subject matter (rigor), making sure the content is pertinent to their lives (relevance), and conveying it through trusting presenters (relationships). Based on the work of International Center for Leadership Education.
Developmental Relationships (Search Institute)
Development relationships involve showing young people that they matter, pushing them to keep improving, helping them with tasks and goals, treating them with respect and giving them a say, and connecting them with people and places that broaden their world.
Other youth development best strategies
Other best practices and approaches have demonstrated ways to create a learning environment that is supportive, empowering, rewarding, enduring and expecting (of positive behavior). Previous learnings also show us that activities should be structured around skill building; authentic, interactive activities; and broadening horizons for the greatest impact.
