PREGNANT TEENAGERS, THEIR EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS AND THE ROLE OF EDUCATORS: THREE CASE STUDIES IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA (PENNSYLVANIA)

This investigation examined a School District\u27s options designed to deliver educational services to pregnant teenage students. The needs of and decisions made by three pregnant teenage students were examined, with regard to their situation and their interaction with educators. The present study described three pregnant teenagers according to their psychological profile, educational program choice and educational personnel in their home school. It emphasized the roles of educators specifically, the principal, the guidance counselor, the academic teachers and the school nurse in the implementation of programs designed specifically for these special students. The findings of this study indicate that the variables which may determine those students most at risk for adolescent pregnancy are the following: peer relationships, participation in adolescent activities, the quality of family support, the ability to plan for the future and the reality of those plans; academic ability; school attendance and relationships with their educators. This study is designed to add information to what is already known about the effective programs for pregnant teenage students, to add to our knowledge of the effectiveness of the local school district\u27s program and to provide insight into the roles of educators in the implementation of the program and the student\u27s remaining in school