An important factor in marking the end of a student's dreams of earning a high school diploma and future aspirations is becoming a pregnant or parenting teenager in high school. In 2017, women aged 15 to 19 had a birth rate of 18.8 babies per 1,000 women; this represents 194,377 babies born to women in this age group in the United States (Reproductive Health: Teen Pregnancy, 2019). Creating pathways and strategies in secondary schools specifically dedicated to supporting the intellectual growth and employability of adolescent parents is critical to the autonomy and developmental outcomes of pregnant and parenting adolescents. By exploring and responding to various factors such as student populations and their unique needs, various ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic factors, and individual aspirations, the high school diploma/GED graduation rate is increased. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Although all high school students can benefit from academic development in some form, there are specific underserved high school populations for whom academic enrichment may be most effective. The demographic targeted by this article is high school students who are pregnant or teenage parents. A necessary clarification is that this article is limited to students intending to graduate from high school or obtain a GED equivalent. Although a parent's decision to care for their child full-time is both acceptable and admirable, the information about academic development offered in this article may not be entirely relevant to them. There are subgroups among school-age parents, although they may not be immediately apparent. The most obvious case would be that of a single mother, a student who has already given birth to her child and is raising him without the help of a partner. Conversely, there is a single father who, like the single mother, takes care of the child alone. Teenage parents have common concerns. For example, many social consequences come into play, such as peer judgment, loss of personal identity, and parental disapproval. At this age, social connections are particularly meaningful in the lives of high school students, and their loss can be detrimental. Emotional problems may also arise, such as anxiety, depression, or even drug and alcohol abuse (Kotwal & Prabhakar, 2009). People in this situation may not know how to effectively manage their personal stress and responsibilities and may be overwhelmed by the social, psychological and financial challenges that await them. Finally, there is the potential loss of educational opportunities, such as the ability to complete high school, much less apply for, attend, or even afford higher education. The birth of a child brings substantial changes to individuals' lives, and these changes have an even greater impact on those who may not be fully prepared for them. The academic obligations of being a student and the duties of being a parent are both difficult on them. However, for school-aged parents, the combination of responsibilities of these two groups can be almost unmanageable. Many people may feel the need to compromise to cope with the stress of their situation. For example, this can take the form of either dropping out of school or abandoning the child with a view toof an adoption. The support strategies and resources presented in this article are intended to help these individuals, so that they do not have to choose between education and parental responsibility. In developing effective strategies to support this vulnerable population, it is crucial to recognize cultural, ethical, and socio-economic factors. -economic and cognitive factors that have an impact on the situation. Many factors contribute to teenage pregnancy and parenthood: unsupportive or unhealthy home life, lack of reproductive education, high-risk behaviors like drug and alcohol experimentation and unprotected sex, control inadequate or inconsistent birth outcomes, peer pressure, stress or depression, glorification of pregnancy in the media, sexual violence and more (Pflugradt, 2019). For example, in homes where grandparents are the primary caregivers, adolescents may not be able to talk openly about safe sex, birth control, or other sensitive topics at home (Manlove) . Adolescents with unstable family situations are more likely to engage in early sexual activity. Conversely, studies have shown that a family with two involved parents has a lower rate of teen pregnancy among white and black families in the United States (Manlove). Family trauma can also contribute to teenage pregnancy; a study conducted by Aparicio et al. (2018) found that many teenage mothers leave home due to “physical and sexual abuse, strained relationships, dependency on a family member, and parental neglect.” To compound these unfortunate situations, victims of neglect and abuse are often distrustful of adults and authority figures, such as school personnel and medical professionals (Aparicio et al. 2018). Low socioeconomic status (SES) among minority populations also results in higher rates of adolescents. procreation (Penman-Aguilar et al., 2013). Other characteristics influence teenage pregnancy rates; for example, some Asian American families are hesitant to talk about sex and are more reluctant to seek professional sexual and reproductive care. Additionally, the pregnancy rate among homeless teens exceeds fifty percent (Aparicio et al., 2018). Statistically speaking, Black Americans are sexually active earlier than other racial groups in America (Manlove et al., 2013). Religious factors are another important factor to consider during teenage pregnancy and parenthood. It is important to be respectful to all students, as their beliefs may be unfamiliar or unfamiliar. For example, unlike Western culture, teenage pregnancy is encouraged in Islamic culture. In this example, both teenagers must be married; otherwise, the child would be treated as an illegitimate child (Jamaluddin 2013). Family support plays a vital role in the life of an adolescent of childbearing age. For many, being a pregnant teenager in itself is stressful enough, let alone being a pregnant teenager without support at home. Teen parents are more likely to have fewer connections to family and lack peer support. Their future may not be as bright as it once was, and these students need a community to fall back on. These additional stresses most often lead to frustration, depression and anxiety, all of which impact the ability tothe adolescent to focus on her well-being. Regardless of the cultural and socioeconomic factors that contribute to teen pregnancy in America, exploring effective pathways to high school completion (or equivalent) is critical to combating some of the common adverse outcomes . These pathways may include, but are not limited to: the adolescent is less likely to complete high school, a perpetual cycle of poverty, dependence on welfare, single parenthood, limited income and earning potential throughout lower life-long, higher probability of neglecting or maltreating the child. , social isolation, and mental health disorders such as substance abuse and postpartum depression (Hodgkinson, Beers, Southammakosane, & Lewin, 2014). By providing a comprehensive and essential network of support to this vulnerable population, the all-too-frequent loss of educational and employment opportunities for pregnant and parenting adolescents can be minimized. Statistically, about 50% of teen mothers earn a high school diploma by age 22, compared to 90% of young women who do not give birth during adolescence (“Americans at Age 31: Labor Market Activity, Education and Partner Status Summary "). , 2018). Not surprisingly, a survey supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation found that a third of young women surveyed indicated that becoming a parent played a major role in their decision to drop out of school (Bridgeland, Diluilo and Morison, 2006). Teen parents, like other disadvantaged students, face many obstacles to completing high school: undiagnosed learning disabilities, inadequate academic preparation, low grade point averages, and low expectations. Some additional challenges unique to their situation include high-quality, affordable child care, financial support, emotional support, stigma and discrimination, reliable transportation, competing obligations, and simply having the time and energy to devote to studying while caring for a baby or small child. The evidence is clear: education, whether it's a high school diploma, GED, technical training, college degree or beyond, the positive outcomes parallel the educational career of adolescent parents. Several diverse programs have been implemented in various communities with varying degrees of success. However, the most effective plans take a comprehensive approach, sometimes called "wrap services," providing academic instruction, home schooling as needed, on-site child care, dual enrollment courses, transition to ease the transition to college, an emphasis on the humanities, proactive outreach such as conferences and workshops, scholarships, mentorships, individual support, and housing or residential programs (Van Pelt, 2012). According to the Center for Evaluation and Policy Development (CAPD), many stand-alone programs in schools provide support services to pregnant and parenting teens, such as child care, parenting classes, and bonding. to social services. However, these separate schools sometimes offer fewer educational options than those offered in comprehensive secondary schools (Stephens, Wolf, & Batten, 1999). To improve outcomes for teen parents, educational services and opportunities must match or exceed traditional schools. Simpson Academy for Young Women, Chicago's only public school dedicated to parenting and pregnant teens, is a powerful example ofhow providing a comprehensive education, comprehensive range of support services can improve outcomes. According to Emily Cambry, a social worker at Simpson Academy, the most critical aspect of social work that keeps teen mothers in school is "engaging and connecting with students while maintaining a non-judgmental attitude. When students feel like the environment is supportive, they are more motivated to attend school, seek out services, and view the social worker as another building expert they can connect with,” she says (Van Pelt, 2012). At Simpson Academy, staff focus on "meeting students' social and emotional learning needs, including identifying their strengths and goals, discussing the importance of completing high school, and identifying a pathway to career that will maximize their ability to function independently as a student. young parent. » Yoga is offered to meet health education requirements and help students cope with the mental and physical stress of pregnancy and parenthood (Van Pelt, 2012). Teenage mothers often suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of isolation, feeling excluded from typical high school activities. To address this problem and encourage attendance, Simpson Academy hosts a prom, homecoming, and special upperclassmen activities to provide teen parents with the complete high school experience. As evidence has shown, a holistic, multi-tiered support system (MTSS) for pregnant and adolescent parents can reduce the high school dropout rate and improve educational attainment. With these goals in mind, some lesson plans have been developed to address some of the many obstacles faced by pregnant teens. Teaching empathy about teen pregnancy can improve the culture of the learning community and reduce the feelings of stigma and isolation felt by many pregnant teens, ultimately keeping them in school. For school-age parents or pregnant teens who want to finish high school, they may not know how to balance raising a child while doing so. An interactive and informative course plan illustrating the varied access to online courses, flexible schedules, and other academic/support services will enable students to make informed decisions about their ability to complete their high school diploma or GED. By informing this demographic about the educational opportunities still available, it can lead to a renewed sense of confidence and determination. With this in mind, a key component of success for this population is demonstrating the ability to use goal-setting skills to improve their self-confidence. Self-esteem plays an important role in the choices and decisions people make, which is why it is essential to encourage self-esteem and self-confidence. Likewise, stress is a common factor among college students, and even more so among adolescent girls of childbearing age. They are not only stressed by schoolwork, but also by social discrimination, physical illness and disconnection from their own family members. A lesson plan will focus on stress management among pregnant and parenting adolescents. By understanding the different stressors and the different methods of managing stressful situations. Students should be better equipped to identify stressors in their living environment and).1995;76(8):48-69.