Austin Youth River Watch Program: 1992-93 Final Report. Publication Number 92.33.

The City of Austin (Texas) provides funds for an educational initiative to involve minority high school students in water quality issues and to reduce the dropout rate through positive role model interaction with academically successful students. Principal program activities were testing river water for pollutants and tutoring at-risk students by student mentors. Both trainees and mentors are paid for their time spent testing water and in conducting tutoring sessions. The program recruited and trained 32 high school students (19 males and 13 females) and included 10 mentors (5 males and 5 females). There were 16 Hispanic, 10 African American, 2 White, and 3 other students. Full information is available for 27 of these students. Compared to all district high school students, fewer of the participants dropped out of school than predicted, and none were recommended to be retained at their 1992-93 grade level. The program appears to have a positive effect on academic achievement, and students generally thought it had helped them learn more about science and mathematics. In addition, three potentially harmful or costly leaks in the city's water system were detected. Program continuation is recommended, with some suggestions for expansion and improvement. Fourteen figures illustrate study findings. (Contains two references.) (SLD)