1. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network1 Risk Factors for Dropout and Research-Based Strategies/Programs for Helping Students Graduate Presented by Dr. Sam Drew, Associate Director National Dropout Prevention Center/Network Clemson University at the National Tech Prep Network Conference November2, 2006 Dallas, Texas

2. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network2

3. 3 “When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail.” Stephen Wright

4. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network4 Overview I. Understanding the Problem II. Risk Factors addressed by Gateway III. Strategies That Work

5. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network5 Status Dropout Rates In October 2001 approx. 3.8 million 16-24 year olds were not enrolled and had not completed high school Enough to fill over 63,000 school buses National Center for Education Statistics, 2004. Dropout Rates in the United States: 2001.

6. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network6 Dropout Prevention: A National Issue Worst Graduation Rates South Carolina51% Florida52% Georgia57% Mississippi57% Tennessee 57% Highest Graduation Rates New Jersey86% North Dakota84% Iowa83% Utah83% Minnesota82% (The Education Pipeline in the United States, 2004) State Graduation Rates – 2000-01 (Using 9 th grade enrollment as base)

7. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network7 Understanding The Problem

8. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network8 Who Are Students At Risk? A student at risk is “ someone who is unlikely to graduate on schedule with both the skills and the self-esteem necessary to exercise meaningful options in the areas of work, leisure, culture, civic affairs, and inter/intrapersonal relationships. ” (Bailey & Stegelin, 2003)

9. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network9 National Dropout Prevention Center Research: Dropout Pathway Dropping out of school is the result of a long process of disengagement that may begin before a child enters school.

10. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network10 Research: Observations About Risk Factors School dropout has multiple causes Multiple risk factors better predictor Life course model, where dropout is not an event but a process with factors building and compounding over time

11. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network11 Risk Factors in Four Domains  Individual  Family  Community  School

12. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network12 Family Factors Poverty Low expectations Abuse Mobility of family Parent level of education Language and literacy levels

13. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network13 School Factors Lack of program for challenged students No significant, interested adult Lack of alternatives for learning Lack of active learning instruction No individual learning plans Behavior and discipline issues Retention policies

14. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network14 Community Factors Lack of involvement with schools Lack of support for schools Non-caring environment Low expectations Violence Few recreational facilities

15. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network15 Individual Factors Lack of future orientation Inadequate peer relationships Drug abuse Pregnancy Special learning needs Depression

16. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network16 Variables Associated With Dropouts Status Variables Age, Gender Socioeconomic background Ethnicity Native Language Mobility Family Structure (Lehr, C.A.,et.al, Essential Tools, 2004)

17. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network17 Variables Associated With Dropouts Alterable Variables Grades, Retention School Disengagement Disruptive behavior Absenteeism Curriculum irrelevance Sense of belonging Low academic expectations (Lehr, C.A.,et.al, Essential Tools, 2004)

18. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network18 Reasons for Dropping Out Various Sources - Reasons for Dropping Out of School Addressed by Technology Gateway Low grades and test scores Poor Attendance Dislikes School Disconnected Curriculum not relevant No engagement in learning Misbehavior/early aggression Low Educational Expectations of Family/School

19. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network19 15 Strategies That Help Prevent Students From Dropping Out

20. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network20 Systemic Renewal Dropout Prevention: Everyone’s Problem Basic Core Strategies Instructional Practices Early Interventions School- Community Collaboration

21. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network21 Systemic Renewal Dropout Prevention: Everyone’s Problem Systemic Renewal

22. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network22 Systemic Renewal What is Systemic Renewal? Continuous, critical inquiry into current practices Identifying educational improvements Removing organizational barriers Providing a system structure that supports change (Schwartzbeck, 2002)

23. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network23 Systemic Renewal Dropout Prevention: Everyone’s Problem School- Community Collaboration

24. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network24 School-Community Collaboration Schools can no longer be islands in communities with no bridges to the mainland. Bridges must be built to connect schools, homes, and communities. (Center for Mental Health in Schools, 2001)

25. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network25 Systemic Renewal Dropout Prevention: Everyone’s Problem School- Community Collaboration

26. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network26 Creating Safe Learning Environments A Safe Learning Environment Provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere that fosters a spirit of acceptance and caring for every child - Sphere of protective factors Is free of intimidation, violence, and fear Clearly communicates behavior expectations that are consistently enforced and fairly applied Builds positive, responsible character

27. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network27 Systemic Renewal Dropout Prevention: Everyone’s Problem Early Interventions School- Community Collaboration

28. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network28 Systemic Renewal Dropout Prevention: Everyone’s Problem Early Interventions School- Community Collaboration Basic Core Strategies

29. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network29 Basic Core Strategies Mentoring Service-Learning Alternative Schooling After-School Program Experiences

30. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network30 Systemic Renewal Dropout Prevention: Everyone’s Problem Basic Core Strategies Instructional Practices Early Interventions School- Community Collaboration

31. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network31 Making the Most of Instruction Professional Development Active Learning Educational Technology Individualized Instruction Career and Technical Education

32. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network32 Professional Development The single largest factor affecting the academic growth of students is the differences in the effectiveness of individual classroom teachers. (Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System, Sanders, 1998)

33. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network33 Active Learning... teaching and learning strategies that engage students by providing opportunities for students to listen, speak, write, construct, and reflect as they solve problems, work in teams, perform new skills, and demonstrate procedures.

34. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network34 Educational Technology Research on Using Technology Is a positive influence on students at risk of failure (Day, 2002) Teaches “real work applications” to help students succeed outside the classroom Increases student motivation, raises the success rate of students performing complex tasks, and changes classroom roles and organization (Means, 1997)

35. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network35 Career and Technical Education Impact of CTE Youth participating in CTE activities were half as likely to drop out as youth who did not participate. Youth in work-based learning were 30% less likely to drop out than students in other curriculum areas. (Stone, 2004)

36. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network36 Systemic Renewal Dropout Prevention: Everyone’s Problem Basic Core Strategies Instructional Practices Early Interventions School- Community Collaboration

37. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network37 Some Strategies Actually Are Multiple Strategies: ( e.g. Technology Gateway program ) Strategic Planning Community Involvement Instructional relevancy Active Learning Individualized Instruction Family Involvement Professional Development

38. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network38 Contact Information National Dropout Prevention Center/Network Clemson University 209 Martin Street Clemson, SC 29631-1555 Phone: 864-656-2599 Fax: 864-656-0136 E-mail: ndpc@clemson.edu www.dropoutprevention.orgndpc@clemson.edu www.dropoutprevention.org

39. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network39 Individualized Instruction Encourages the learner to be the producer of knowledge with Problem-based learning & reciprocal teaching Peer tutoring Cooperative learning Journaling Hands-on projects Role play and simulation Inquiry