The Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) Adopt-A-School program was developed to assist socioeconomically
disadvantaged students improve academically and to help them
develop into good citizens. The mission of the FBI has been historically
recognized as a law enforcement organization, but has evolved
to include community outreach programs to deter crime, drug abuse,
violence, and gang membership. FBI volunteer mentors spend one
hour of their time weekly with third and fourth grade Frederick
Douglass Elementary School students to assist students to achieve
academic and personal goals, and learn more about the FBI through
the Junior Special Agent (JSA) Program, a structured program
that gives students an inside look at today's FBI. Volunteers
make weekly school visits throughout the year. FBI employees
have conducted lessons in the following areas: FBI operations,
history, and structure; memorization; peer pressure; violence,
drug and alcohol abuse; physical fitness and more. FBI mentors
stress the value of getting a good education, living healthy
and drug free, and abstaining from violent and/or criminal behavior.
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The JSA Program was developed
to reach as many at-risk children as possible. Seven FBI employees
mentor approximately one hundred and twenty (120) students per
week. The value of this program is tremendous. Students anxiously
look forward to the weekly visits from FBI employees and do their
best to earn a Junior Special Agent badge and credentials. Students
are tasked with assignments that require them to improve their
memory, awareness, knowledge of FBI operations, and overall school
performance.
Students and faculty both look
forward to the scheduled visits by FBI employees. Local newspaper
and television media have documented FBI employee volunteer efforts
at Douglass. In order to maintain the high level of quality instruction
provided each school year, the FBI office is canvassed for experienced
employees who express a desire to volunteer their time to mentor
students. These employees are energetic and committed to working
with students.
Douglass school administrators
have provided the FBI positive feedback regarding weekly FBI
employee visits. Students look forward to visits and some students
have even expressed a desire to become FBI employees when they
grow up. Douglass school administrators have seen steady improvement
in Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) test scores over
the past three years and have partially attributed this improvement
to FBI influence at the school. Since its inception, more than
four hundred Douglass elementary school students have completed
the Junior Special Agent program lessons and have earned their
Junior Special Agent badges and credentials.
On May 3, 2000, the JSA of the Houston Division received
the Wally Grimes Public Service Award.