Bright Start Releases Results from It's "International Student Success Program" (ISSP)

LOS ANGELES - Aug. 23, 2016 - PRLog -- Bright Start released data from their International Student Success Program (ISSP) on Monday, August 22, showing the program's success in dramatically improving a student's GPA and behavior.

The ISSP was first implemented at an established Los Angeles international high school, which will remain anonymous to protect the identity of those involved. The school's staff at this particular high school had grown frustrated with the pattern of behavioral problems that developed among the international student body, 20 percent of whom had a GPA below the required 2.0 needed to maintain I-20 student visas. Frequently absent, these students rarely completed coursework or participated in class. On one occasion, they were banned from a field trip site on account of their unruly behavior.

Bright Start's president, Gary Surdam, implemented the intervention program with these students and after six months, improvements had shown. By the end of the first quarter of the following school year all students added at least 2.0 to their GPA and were well above the I-20 requirement. The largest improvement was seen by a student from China who previously held a 0.0 GPA. Within six months of participating in the program, his GPA rose to 3.2. His is an example of how many of these international students have potential to succeed but lack the guidance and motivation to get there.

"The response from the students were positive and they quickly realized the opportunity and support being provided," said a teacher about the program.  "Some students even asked to be in this program to stay on track!"

Staff and administration noted that, following Bright Start's involvement at the school, the learning environment improved and students were more receptive in the classroom. The participating students have since graduated from high school and are furthering their education at colleges and universities across the U.S.

Hope for "Parachute" Kids

The positive results of the ISSP was the focus of an article early this year in the Baltimore based educational magazine Beltway International Advisors. The article addressed the growing number of "Parachute Kids" in the U.S. and how Bright Start's programs were successfully helping these students achieve in American high schools and colleges.

The term "Parachute Kid" refers to a student sent to study in the U.S. while their parents remain abroad. A phenomenon which began in the 1980's, but has seen a rapid increase among mainland Chinese students since 2009.

Bright Start Educational Programs demonstrate that to successfully deal with parachute kids it's important to address the specific challenges that face American communities upon the influx of international students. Last year, the San Gabriel Valley headlined the news after a group of international students were of convicted of criminal charges for their behavior among other students. Unlike typical educational intervention programs, Bright Start's ISSP helps international students succeed in the classroom by teaching them how to succeed in the community as well.

"Gary designed the program to encourage the students in attendance, behavior and academic work.  He then administered the program with excellent results," said the principal from the high school previously mentioned. "As a result of this intervention all the seniors graduated and matriculated to the college or university that they had chosen."

Bright Start Educational Programs have been held across the U.S. since 1995, and have recently reoriented to include international minded training. Mr. Surdam has provided professional development courses in schools throughout China 12 times in the past three years. With the goal of helping more students succeed and revolutionizing international education, Bright Start is seeking to expand their programs throughout the U.S. and Asia.

For details visit: http://www.brightstartfamilyliteracy.com or call 951-440-4561