Risk Factors for Dropout and Research-Based Strategies/Programs for Helping Students Graduate

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

2. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

3. “When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail.” Stephen Wright National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

4. Overview Understanding the Problem Risk Factors addressed by Gateway Strategies That Work National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

5. 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. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

6. Dropout Prevention: A National Issue Worst Graduation Rates • South Carolina 51% • Florida 52% • Georgia 57% • Mississippi 57% • Tennessee 57% State Graduation Rates – 2000-01 (Using 9th grade enrollment as base) • Highest Graduation Rates • New Jersey 86% • North Dakota 84% • Iowa 83% • Utah 83% • Minnesota 82% (The Education Pipeline in the United States, 2004) National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

7. Understanding The Problem National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

8. 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) National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

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

10. 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 National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

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

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

13. 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 National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

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

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

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

17. 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) National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

18. 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 National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

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

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

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

22. 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) National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

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

24. 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) National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

25. Dropout Prevention: Everyone’s Problem Systemic Renewal Learning Systemic Renewal School-Community Collaboration Safe Environments Systemic Renewal National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

26. 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 National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

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

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

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

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

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

32. 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) National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

33. 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. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

34. 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) National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

35. 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) National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

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

37. 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 National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

38. 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.eduwww.dropoutprevention.org National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

39. 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 National Dropout Prevention Center/Network