1. Whose Responsibility is Dropout Prevention? Dr. Kennedy Ongaga Dr. William Sterrett Dr. Janna Robertson

2. What do you think? There is a naïve common assumption that all dropout prevention responsibility falls to the high school principal. Do you agree? – What do you think? – Do principals at the elementary and middle school feel as responsible? – Why or why not?

3. Method Participated in a new faculty mentor group with Dr. Jay Smink, past Executive Director of the National Dropout Prevention Center Developed online survey based on research Piloted it with a few principals and had it reviewed by peers Sent it to principals in 13 school districts in Southeastern North Carolina (UNCW professional development partners)

4. Participants Elementary School Principals = 17 Middle School Principals = 7 High School Principals = 4

5. Principal Beliefs

7. It is the responsibility...

8. Enough is being done...

9. Fifteen Effective Practices for Dropout Prevention Systemic Renewal School/Community Collaboration Safe Learning Environment Family Engagement Early Childhood Education Early Literacy Development Mentoring/ Tutoring Service Learning Alternative Schooling After-school Opportunities Professional Development Active Learning Educational Technology Individualized Instruction Career and Technical Ed.

10. Effective Practices Which Effective Practices occur in: – Preschool? – Elementary? – Middle school? – High School?

11. Fifteen Effective Dropout Prevention Practices

12. Final Thoughts So whose responsibility is dropout prevention? It is a shared responsibility, and it looks like principals realize this including those at elementary and middle schools.

13. Contact Information Dr. Kennedy Ongaga: ongagak@uncw.eduongagak@uncw.edu Dr. William Sterrett: sterrettw@uncw.edusterrettw@uncw.edu Dr. Janna Robertson: robertsonj@uncw.edurobertsonj@uncw.edu