Dropout Prevention West Virginia Shelly DeBerry Student Success Advocate Office of School Improvement

Session Overview I.Statistics II.ABC Framework III.Early Warning Systems IV.Community Engagement Initiatives V.Other WVDE Initiatives VI.Role of the School Counselor

Statistics  40 years ago the US was #1 in graduation rates, we are now #18.  WV graduation rate is 72%, slightly above the national average.  37 student’s dropout of WV schools each day.  Over 6,000 drop out in WV each year.  At this rate, next ten years over 60,000 will drop out of WV schools. Diplomas Count 2011 Report, Education Week

Implications  Projected continued dropouts  Economy  untrained workforce  Cost  Each class of dropouts cost $55 million in healthcare.  80% of dropouts end up in prison  The lifetime cost to the nation for each youth who drops out of school and later moves into a life of crime and drugs ranges from $1.7 to $2.3 million.  12 millions students who will drop out over the next decade will cost the nation $3 trillion dollars.

ABC Framework A ttendance B ehavior C ourse Performance Small Group Discussions

Early Warning Systems Purpose Process not an event

At-Risk Students in West Virginia Indicator6 th Grade9 th Grade Attendance90% or below85% or below Behavior1 or more suspensions2 or more suspensions Course Performance1 or more semester failures English or Math 2 or more semester failures English or Math

Interventions AttendanceBehaviorCourse Failure Respond to all absences Student-teacher advisory period Tutoring available before, during and after school Establish incentives for staying in school Carry behavior checklist from class to class or do a weekly behavior report Smaller class sizes Require a quick daily check by adult Develop a behavior contract Create “extra help” courses in place of electives or offer block courses for additional help Have attendance team investigate and problem solve Assign an adult mentor Credit recover opportunities

Monitoring

Community Dropout Prevention Plans State Board Goal: To graduate ALL students from high school ready for college and careers. Priority: To engage all community stakeholders to accomplish the above goal.

WVDE Initiatives for Community Engagement 1.Community Dialogue to Action Education Alliance, WV Center for Civic Life, United Way 2.Judicial Truancy Meetings Chief Justice Robin Davis and Circuit Court Judge Alan Moats 3.Common Ground: Education & the Military

4.Innovation Zones $2.2 million Meaningful Partnerships Early Warning Systems Community Dropout Prevention Plans

Other Initiatives  LINKS Student Advisement  Dropout Prevention Websites  Dropout Prevention Desk Guide

Role of the School Counselor  Early Warning Systems  Interventions – individual and group  Referrals for intensive/community services  Monitoring progress  Student Exit Process

For more information contact: Shelly DeBerry Student Success Advocate West Virginia Department of Education