A significant factor in marking the end of a student's dreams of graduating and future aspirations is becoming a pregnant or parenting teen in high school. In 2017, women aged 15 to 19 had a birth rate of 18.8 children per 1,000 women; that is, 194,377 children born to women in this age group in the United States (Reproductive Health: Teen Pregnancy, 2019). Creating pathways and strategies in high schools specifically dedicated to supporting the intellectual growth and employability of teen parents is vital to the self-sufficiency and developmental outcomes of pregnant and parenting teens. By exploring and responding to various factors such as student populations and their specific needs, various ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic factors, and the aspirations of the individual, increases high school diploma/GED completion. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While all high school students can benefit from academic development in some form, there are specific disadvantaged high school populations for whom academic enrichment may be more effective. The demographic this document aims to benefit is high school students who are pregnant parents or teenagers. A necessary clarification is that this document is limited to students planning to graduate high school or earn an equivalent GED. While a parent's decision to care for their child full-time is acceptable and admirable, the academic development information offered in this document may not be entirely relevant to them. Subgroups exist within high school-age parents, although they may not be immediately apparent. The most obvious would be the single mother, a student who has already given birth to her child and is raising him without the help of a partner. However, there is a single father who, like a single mother, takes care of his child alone. Teenage parents have common concerns with each other. For example, many social consequences come into play, such as peer judgment, loss of personal identity, and parental disapproval. At this age, social connections are especially significant in the lives of high school students, and their loss can prove detrimental. Additionally, emotional problems may arise, such as anxiety, depression, or even drug and alcohol abuse (Kotwal & Prabhakar, 2009). Those in this situation may be unsure how to effectively manage stress and personal responsibilities and may be overwhelmed by the social, psychological and financial challenges they face. Finally, there is the potential loss of educational opportunities, such as the ability to complete high school, let alone apply for, attend, or even afford higher education. The birth of a child brings about substantial changes in an individual's life, and these changes have an even more significant impact on those who may not be fully prepared to deal with them. The academic obligations of being a student and the duties of being a parent are both demanding on them. However, for high school-aged parents, the combination of responsibilities of both of these groups can be almost unmanageable. Many people may feel the need to compromise to cope with the stress of their situation. For example, this could mean dropping out of school or adopting the child. Support strategies andresources presented in this document are intended to help these individuals, so that they do not have to choose between education and parental responsibilities. In developing effective strategies to support this vulnerable population, it is critical to recognize cultural, ethical, and socio-cultural needs. -economic and cognitive factors that influence the situation. There are numerous factors that contribute to teen pregnancy and parenthood: unsupported or unhealthy home life, lack of reproductive education, high-risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol experimentation and unprotected intercourse, inadequate or inconsistent birth control, peer pressure , stress or depression, glorification of pregnancy in the media, sexual violence and more (Pflugradt, 2019). For example, in homes where grandparents are the primary caregivers, adolescents may not be able to talk openly about safe sex or birth control or other sensitive topics in their homes (Manlove). Adolescents who have unstable family situations are more likely to engage in early sexual activity. In contrast, studies have shown that a family with two involved parents has a lower rate of teen pregnancy among white and black families in the United States (Manlove). Family trauma can also contribute to teen pregnancy; a study conducted by Aparicio et al. (2018) found that many teenage mothers leave home due to “physical and sexual abuse, strained relationships, dependency on a family member, and parental neglect.” Compounding these unfortunate situations, victims of neglect and abuse often distrust adults and authority figures, such as school personnel and medical professionals (Aparicio et al. 2018). Low socioeconomic status (SES) among minority populations also results in a higher rate of adolescent pregnancy (Penman-Aguilar et al., 2013). Other characteristics influence teen pregnancy rates; for example, some Asian American families are reluctant to talk about sex and are more reluctant to seek professional sexual and reproductive care. Furthermore, the pregnancy rate among homeless adolescents exceeds fifty percent (Aparicio et al., 2018). Statistically speaking, Black Americans are sexually active earlier than other racial groups in America (Manlove et al., 2013). Another important consideration in teen pregnancy and parenting are religious factors. It is important to be respectful of all students, as their beliefs may be unfamiliar or unfamiliar. For example, unlike Western culture, teenage pregnancy is encouraged in Islamic culture. In this example, both teenagers should be married; otherwise, the child would be treated as an illegitimate child (Jamaluddin 2013). Family support plays a vital role in the life of a childbearing teenager. For many, being a pregnant teen in itself is stressful enough, let alone a pregnant teen with no support at home. Teenage parents are more likely to have fewer bonds with their families and lack peer support. Their future may not be as bright as it once was, and these students need to have a community to rely on. These additional stresses more often than not lead to frustration, depression, and anxiety, all of which impact a teen's ability to focus on their well-being. Regardless of the cultural and socioeconomic factors that contribute to teen pregnancy in America, it is essential to explore effective pathways to high school completion(or equivalent) to combat some of the most common adverse outcomes. These pathways may include, but are not limited to: lower odds of completing high school, a perpetual cycle of poverty, welfare dependency, single parenthood, limited income and lower lifelong earning potential, increased likelihood of child neglect or abuse, social isolation and mental health disorders such as substance abuse and postpartum depression (Hodgkinson, Beers, Southammakosane, & Lewin, 2014). By providing a comprehensive and essential network of support to this vulnerable population, the all-too-frequent loss of educational and employment opportunities for pregnant and parenting adolescents could be minimized. Statistically, approximately 50% of teen mothers earn a high school diploma by age 22, compared to 90% of young women who do not give birth during adolescence ("Americans at Age 31: Labor Market Activity, Education and Partner Status Summary ", 2018). Not surprisingly, a survey supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation found that one-third of young women surveyed reported that becoming a parent played an important role in their decision to leave school (Bridgeland, Diluilo, & Morison, 2006). Teen parents, like other disadvantaged students, face many obstacles to completing high school: undiagnosed learning disabilities, inadequate academic preparation, poor grades, and low expectations. Some additional challenges specific to their circumstances include accessible, high-quality child care, financial support, emotional support, stigma and discrimination, reliable transportation, competitive obligations, and simply having the time and energy to devote to academics while caring of a newborn or small child. The evidence is clear that education, whether a high school diploma, GED, technical training, college degrees or beyond, positive outcomes go hand in hand with the academic journey of teen parents. Several different programs have been implemented in various communities with varying degrees of success. However, the most effective plans take a comprehensive approach, sometimes called “comprehensive services,” providing academic instruction, home schooling as needed, on-site child care, dual enrollment courses, bridge programs to ease the transition to college, a focus on humanities, proactive outreach activities such as conferences and workshops, scholarships, tutoring, one-on-one support, and housing or residential programs (Van Pelt, 2012). According to the Center for Assessment and Policy Development (CAPD), many stand-alone schools provide support services to pregnant and parenting teens, such as child care, parenting classes, and connections to social services. However, these separate schools sometimes offer fewer educational options than those offered in comprehensive high schools (Stephens, Wolf, and Batten 1999). To improve outcomes for teen parents, educational services and opportunities must match, or exceed, traditional schools. Simpson Academy for Young Women, Chicago's only public school dedicated to parenting and pregnant teen girls, is a powerful example of how providing a comprehensive, holistic array of support services can improve outcomes. According to Simpson Academy social worker Emily Cambry, the most critical aspect of social work that keeps teen mothers in school is “engaging and connecting with students while maintaining a nonjudgmental attitude. When students feel the environment is supportive, they are more motivated to attend school, seek services, and considerthe social worker as another expert in the building that they can connect with,” he says (Van Pelt, 2012). At Simpson Academy, the staff focuses on “addressing students' social and emotional learning needs, including identifying their strengths and goals, discussing the importance of completing their secondary education, and identifying a path to career that will maximize their ability to function independently as a young parent." Yoga is offered to meet health education requirements and help students cope with the mental and physical stress of pregnancy and parenting (Van Pelt, 2012) . Teen mothers often suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of isolation, feeling excluded from typical high school activities. To address this issue and encourage attendance, Simpson Academy hosts a senior prom, prom, and special activities for senior classes to provide teen parents with a complete high school experience. As evidence shows, a holistic, multi-tiered support system (MTSS) for pregnant and adolescent parents can reduce school dropout rates and improve educational attainment. With these goals in mind, some lesson plans have been developed to challenge some of the many obstacles facing pregnant teens. Teaching empathy around teen pregnancy can improve the culture of the learning community and reduce the feelings of stigma and isolation experienced by many pregnant teens and ultimately keep them in school. For high school-age parents or pregnant teens who still want to complete high school, they may be unsure how to balance raising a child while doing so. An interactive and informative lesson plan illustrating varied access to online courses, flexible scheduling, and other academic/support services will allow students to make informed decisions about their ability to earn their high school diploma or GED. By informing this demographic about the educational opportunities still available to them, a renewed sense of confidence and determination could be generated. In this sense, a key component to achieving positive outcomes for this population is demonstrating the ability to use goal-setting skills to increase self-confidence. Self-esteem plays a huge role in the choices and decisions people make, which is why it is crucial to encourage self-esteem and confidence. Likewise, stress is a common factor among students, and even more so among adolescents of childbearing age. They are not only stressed by schoolwork, but also by social discrimination, physical illnesses and separation from their family members. One lesson plan will focus on stress management for pregnant and parenting teens. Understanding the various stressors and different methods of managing stressful situations. Students should be better equipped to identify stressors in their living environments and deal with them more effectively. This curriculum is designed to increase the high school completion rate of pregnant parents and teenagers. By collecting real-time data from participants after the presentation (Likert-scale self-ratings, for example), the data will indicate whether the lesson plans were effective in improving empathy, self-esteem and coping skills, as well as increasing knowledge of academic options. for pregnant and parenting teenagers. The intent is to empower these at-risk students, reducing the likelihood of dropping out and improving their).1995;76(8):48-69.