Educational Leveling
In 2015, nearly 40,000 students dropped out of school in El Salvador due to gang violence (source). In addition, many others drop out due to poverty and family crisis; some at a very young age. What is a 17 year old youth who dropped out of school in the 4th grade to do? What are his options?
At Love and Hope Youth Ministry we are committed to helping youth who have dropped out of school have an opportunity to finish their education. Through the Ministry of Education, we offer an educational leveling program that meets youth where they are at academically. Students in the program attend biweekly classes taught by missionary teacher Kirsten Zimmerman where they complete class work that corresponds with their last grade of completion. When students are ready, they then take a proficiency test administered through the Ministry of Education and, upon passing, are awarded a certificate of that grade level.