Dropout Prevention and Persistence to Graduation Marty Bell October 28, 2008

Jefferson County Public Schools   28 th largest school district in U.S.   99,000+ students (slightly increased over last 5 years)   1/7 of all students in KY   36% African-American (½ of all African American students in KY)   57.6% White   7.7% Other   153 Schools   Preschool……………….3- and 4-year-olds   K-5 (Elementary)…………. 89 schools   6-8 (Middle)……………….. 22 schools   9-12 (High)………………….19 schools   Special Education…………. 9 schools   Alternative/Other………….14 schools

Changes in Student Demographics % Increase Homeless 3,892 7,34189% English as a Second Language 1,907 3,08162% Exceptional Child Education13,32613,574 2% Free/Reduced-Price Meals*2003*2007Change in Percent Elementary59.1%60.9%1.8% Middle51.6%55.6%4.0% High35.9%44.6%8.7% * Source: JCPS Data Books for and

Academic and Non-Academic Schooling History: Dropout vs. District   On average, high risk indicators (school mobility, absenteeism, suspension) of students who dropout are evident in elementary   Risk factors steadily increase from Elementary Middle High school (illustrated in following slides)

Household Structure

School Absenteeism

School Mobility

Suspensions

Last KCCT Reading Performance

Dropouts’ Reported Reasons for Dropping Out of School   Dislike school; bored with school; disengaged   Lack of feeling connected to school   Low academic achievement; poor or failing grades in core subjects   Failure to be promoted to the next grade; retention   Missed too many days to catch up; low attendance rate   Need for employment to help family; difficulty juggling work and school   Curriculum not perceived as having a real-world application   Disciplinary reasons (repeated exclusionary discipline, and failure to return from a long-term suspension) REDUCING DROPOUTS

HIGH SCHOOL RESTRUCTURING   Freshman academies with smaller class size   Trimester schedule (3x5 schedule)   9th grade civics course   Expansion of Advanced Placement and dual credit courses for college credit while in high school   Enhanced virtual learning opportunities

FRESHMAN ACADEMIES   Smoother transition from middle school   Build community & sense of belonging   Nurture social-emotional skills   Increase matriculation to 10th grade   Increase attendance, decrease suspensions   Begin connectedness to post-secondary

3x5 TRIMESTER BENEFITS   Students meet state requirements and continue to take valuable electives   More instructional time for in-depth learning   Common scope & sequence of curriculum   Less load on both students and teachers   Promotes both acceleration and remediation   Expands opportunity for career and vocational program classes

9th grade COMPREHENSIVE Term 1Term 2Term 3 English IAEnglish IBEnglish IC Algebra IAAlgebra IBAlgebra IC Soc. St. ASoc. St. BP. E. HealthScience AScience B Voc. Rotation or Elective

College Now Students earning post-secondary credits while still in high school (duplicated count of students enrolled in classes)

School-level Interventions   FRYSC -- Family Resource/Youth Services Centers   Home-School Coordinators   LEEP – Louisville Education and Employment Partnership

FRYSC Family Resource/Youth Services Centers   95 Centers serve 131 schools   Help students and families overcome barriers to educational success   Provide, arrange for, or make referrals   Adult education   Health Services   Social Services   Employment training and placement   Substance abuse counseling   Family and mental health counseling

Home School Coordinators   14 Home School Coordinators   Primary focus 75 freshmen   Home visits   Focus students   Conflict resolution   Self-esteem building   Computer assisted instruction   Parent workshops on dealing with teen issues

Louisville Education and Employment Partnership (LEEP)   55 Student case load   Student mentoring   Career readiness training   Outcomes   Attendance   Transition after graduation   English/math achievement

District-level Interventions   Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline   Student Bill of Rights   Neighborhood Place (10 locations)   STOP – Suspension/Truancy Off-site Program   Assessment Center   Parent prosecution   Alternative Schools

Student Assessment “ A Place for Every Child ” JCPS eSchool Kennedy Metropolitan Middle School Jefferson County High School Buechel Metropolitan High School Liberty High School Teenage Pregnancy Program (TAPP) State Agency Schools N O E X P U L S I O N S Breckinridge Metropolitan High School 397 students 550 students 500 students 2,000 students 400 students 3,000 students 800 students 8,000 students

Extra-Curricular Activities   Basket ball 974   Intramurals 3,532   Activities24,155 TOTAL28,661 High School Activities Middle School Activities  Athletics 8,506  Activities65,640 TOTAL74,146 TOTAL: 102,807

JCPS Comprehensive School Survey – Parent Survey   My child participates on sports teams sponsored by his/her school   My child participates in clubs or activities (besides sports) sponsored by his/her school   My child participates in sports sponsored by community organizations   My child participates in clubs or activities (besides sports) sponsored by community organizations Yes No 24% 76% 45% 55% 47% 53% 41% 58%

{ Hours in Community, Home, and School 33.3% 13% 8.79%

Vision   Collect participation data on students in programs targeted and assess the impact of the program on identified student indicators   ie: Does “Marty’s” participation in the After School program impact his attendance in school, discipline referrals in school, grades, or test scores.

Partnership Indicators   Academic achievement   Test scores   Basic skills test   Achievement gap between standards of different races and socio-economic groups   Ready for the next level   Attendance   Behaviors: discipline, suspensions, dropouts and transitions

How CASCADE and KidTrax Work Together.

Sheldon Berman

Then and Now

Examples of Organizations Involved   Americana Community Center   All Care Community Center   Bates Community Center   Boys and Girls Club of America   Boys and Girls Club of Kentuckiana   Broadway Community Development Corp.   Cabbage Patch   Fairdale Area Community Centers   Forest Baptist   Jefferson County Public Schools   KentuckianaWorks (Workforce Investment Board)   LacViet Academy   Lincoln Foundation   Louisville Central Community Center   Louisville Metro   Louisville Urban League   Louisville Youth Alliance   Maryhurst   Metroversity   Metro United Way (YMCA, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, etc.)   Nativity Academy – St. Boniface   Neighborhood House   New Directions Community Centers   New Zion Community Center Foundation   Plymouth Community Center   Presbyterian Community Center   River City Drum Core   St. Anthony Community Outreach Center   St. George Community Center   St. Stephen Family Life Center   Wesley House   Youth Alive   Youth Enhancement Services

Outcomes - Attendance F = 13.60, p <.01, ES =.21

Outcomes - Suspensions

Outcomes - Reading

Status of 2006 Graduates College Vocational/Technical SchoolMilitary Service Employed School and Work Not working and not in school