Making A Difference

TTC Ripley is MAD

Tennessee Technology Center at Ripley (TTCR) has been awarded $101,500 from the Tennessee Board of Regents Office of Access and Diversity to implement the Making A Difference (MAD) program. The program is a three year program that will begin on July 1. This project addresses  two (2) institutional access and diversity plan goals of the TTC Ripley - expand educational and career options for at-risk students from low socio-economic  backgrounds; and enhance opportunities for learning in an environment that is culturally diverse.

TTCR will provide an innovative project that will motivate 30 middle school youth to refrain from sexual activity and complete high school. The (MAD) project will serve youth, ages 11-13, in Lauderdale county by providing them with knowledge, confidence, and skills necessary to reduce their risks of pregnancy. It will also instill positive attitudes and beliefs regarding abstinence and self-esteem. The project is a collaboration between the Lauderdale County Health Council, Lauderdale County Board of Education, Lauderdale County Regional Economic Development Initiative and TTC Ripley.

The MAD curriculum is an evidence-based curriculum that draws upon three theories (1) Social Cognitive Theory (2) Theory of Reasoned Action (3) The Theory of Planned Behavior.  All three theories share two major concepts (1) self-efficacy and (2) outcome expectancies. These concepts focus on a persons confidence to refrain from an activity and the beliefs (goals and dreams; prevention; and partner-reaction) about the consequences of the behavior.  This project will provide an increased knowledge about pregnancy prevention; positive attitudes about abstinence; increased negotiation skills; conflict resolution skills; community pride and responsibility. The MAD curriculum has three major components (1) goals and dreams. (2) knowledge, transmission and prevention of teenage pregnancy and STD’s (3) skills and self-efficacy. The curriculum provides a series of fun, interactive learning experiences that will help youth learn about the consequences to the decisions that they have made. The activities incorporate social cognitive –behavioral skill building strategies through culturally sensitive videos, clips, games, brainstorming, role-playing and skill-building, These activities build cohesion and enhance the learning environment.  This program will emphasis the importance of family and community, accountability and pride in ones decision as we encourage youth to plan for life beyond high school.

The Tennessee Technology Center and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) exists to educate. Our goal is to provide education options at the post-secondary level for students at varied levels of learning. As evidence of the commitment of the TBR, 6 universities, 13 community colleges, and 26 technology centers serve more than 190,000 students. Improvement to secondary education system in Tennessee is of utmost importance to our own existence and continued prosperity of our state and population. Helping just one middle school student to make a good decision that will positively impact his/her life would be considered a success. Our program will equip these youth with some of the skills necessary to become successful students because of their commitment to the community, self-responsibility and the decisions that they have made as youth.