Don’t Let Them Go Without a Fight How the Migrant Program Works to Prevent Dropouts Sarah Seamount Migrant Education Program Coordinator Vickie McCullough Idaho Connects Online Head of School

Objectives Participant will understand special risks to dropping out faced by migrant students. Participant will have strategies to prevent students from leaving school. If students do leave, participants will have strategies for helping students pursue some form of continuing education.

Idaho Graduation Rates

2017-2018 Idaho Graduation Rates Population Rate Not Economically Disadvantaged 90.5% Asian 85.7% Students of Military Families 84.6% Female 83.2% Students without Disabilities 83.0% White 82.3% Students who are not Homeless 81.9% Not Hispanic or Latino 81.6% Not English Learners 81.2% Not American Indian or Alaskan Native 80.9% Not Black / African American 80.8% Not Two Or More Races Non-Migratory Students Not Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander 80.7% Students not in Foster Care All Students 80.6% Population Rate Not Asian 80.6% Students of Non-Military Families Male 78.3% Hispanic or Latino 75.9% English Learners 75.5% Not White 75.2% Two Or More Races 73.8% Economically Disadvantaged 72.3% Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander 71.7% Black / African American 71.4% Migratory Students 69.9% American Indian or Alaskan Native 60.7% Students with Disabilities 58.5% Students who are Homeless 58.4% Students in Foster Care 47.3%

Research on Latino Dropouts in Idaho In 2004-2005, an Idaho principal did a study on Latino dropouts in the Magic Valley. She studied 9 dropouts: 5 female, 4 male who dropped out from 15-19 years old from three different districts.

Consider the following questions while discussing one or more of the quotes with a partner. What is similar/different from my school or district? How do we combat these situations? What internal or external obstacles do we face?

What to do? When in trouble or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout? NO

Attack When the Problem Starts Elementary School: Establish relationships with parents early. Reinforce the benefits of their inclusion in the school world of their child. Connect with kids. Do home visits. Middle School: Establish clubs for these students that meet during breakfast or lunch and address student feelings of inadequacy and the negative effects of stereotyping. Bring in speakers and maybe visit a local university or college. Find insistent, caring staff to form relationships with kids.

Keeping Them Engaged in High School Migrant Graduation Specialists Check & Connect Parent outreach Credit recovery

Idaho Connects Online (ICON) The students who succeed are those whose liaisons are fully involved: checking the student’s time logged in, assignments turned in, grades on assessments and communicating with students and parents. To facilitate a migrant student’s enrollment, call or email Vickie McCullough at 208-475-3093 or Vickie.McCullough@iconschool.org.

What can a virtual school do for my kids? Offer a fully accredited school option so that credits are transferrable Offer an option for students that cannot school during typical school hours or timeframe with 24/7 online school access (including summer options) Offer an option for students that cannot attend their traditional school while in Mexico or on medical leave

Questions to Ask Virtual Schools as You Seek Support Do you have flexible enrollment? What is the process for coming to the school? Do you provide technology? Can the content be read to the students in their native language? Can you give me access to view their accounts so that I can support them while they are with you? Do you offer dual enrollment? Do you offer a full time option for those that need it? Do you offer an option for virtual courses that we can pay for?

What if all efforts fail? Flow chart Exit interviews Options for Success

Questions? Sarah Seamount | Migrant Education Program Coordinator Idaho State Department of Education 650 W State Street, Boise, ID 83702 208 332 6800 sseamount@sde.Idaho.gov www.sde.Idaho.gov/el-migrant/migrant

Idaho Dropout Study Hondo, C., Gardiner, M. E., & Sapien, Y. (2008). Latino dropouts in rural America: Realities and possibilities. Albany: State University of New York Press.