Georgia Southern University to Host National Youth-At-Risk Conference

February 11, 2014

STATESBORO, Ga. – Feb. 11, 2014 – Georgia Southern University’s National Youth-At-Risk (NYAR) Center  will welcome more than a thousand educators, social workers, community leaders and researchers from across the United States and internationally during the 25th annual National Youth-At-Risk Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Ga., March 2-5.

It is one of the country’s premier conferences focusing on the needs of youth at risk—especially raising the achievement of underperforming students. “This is such an important conference because it not only looks at what risks today’s youth face but also presents proactive solutions and best practices for meeting these serious challenges,” said Thomas Koballa, dean of the College of Education which houses the NYAR Center and sponsors the conference along with the Division of Continuing Education. Speakers and workshops will examine at such issues as school violence, poverty, learning difficulties, underachievement, bullying and dysfunctional families.

The National Youth-At-Risk Conference will also honor “High Flying Schools” which have made significant achievement in academic and community arenas. These schools have at least 50 percent of their students living at or below the poverty level and have a diverse student body.

The High Flying Schools for 2014 are:

High Flying School Award Winners

Northington Elementary – Tuscaloosa, Ala.

North Vista Elementary – Florence, S.C.

Loris Elementary – Loris, S.C.

High Flying School Honorable Mentions

Cambridge Elementary, Cocoa, Fla.

Oak Hill Middle, Milledgeville, Ga.

Fowler Drive Elementary, Athens, Ga.

C.G. Woodson Elementary, Jacksonville, Fla.

Information and registration are available at www.nationalyouthatrisk.org

Conference coordinators in the College of Education are Dan Rea, Ed.D (danrea@georgiasouthern.edu) and Eric Landers, Ph.D. (ericlanders@georgiasouthern.edu)

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.