Project Methodology
The pilot project is being implemented, tested, and evaluated at the Highpoint East alternative school in northeast Harris County, Texas. Highpoint East School is one of four alternative schools managed by the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE), one of the project participants. Students in grades 6-12 at Highpoint East School are educated in all core content courses. The pilot project has the following project plan:

A. The VMM Project Plan

In the pilot project, Highpoint East School staff and HCDE representatives will select a group of six students considered to be appropriate subjects for the program. After obtaining a voluntary commitment from the students and their parents to participate in the program, the VMM instructor will begin the youths' training sessions. During the course of this training the VMM instructor, the school staff, and six volunteer mentor/mediator teams will meet with the youth's parents for a special orientation session. At that meeting, the parents will be encouraged to read and practice conflict resolution and anger management training techniques that will help them use productive communication and problem-solving skills. The parents will also receive written information that will help them prepare for effective communication and problem-solving sessions after the youth returns.

Each family will be provided with a MSN TV system and a television set which will allow them to view Internet web sites. The youth will be trained in the installation and use of the MSN TV to send and receive e-mail and to use instant messaging to contact their mentor.