Risk Factors for Dropout and Research-Based Strategies/Programs

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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

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(No Transcript)
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When the only tool you own is a hammer, every
problem begins to look like a nail.

• Stephen Wright

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Overview

• Understanding the Problem
• Risk Factors addressed by Gateway
• Strategies That Work

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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.
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Dropout Prevention A National Issue
State Graduation Rates 2000-01  (Using 9th
grade enrollment as base)

• Worst Graduation Rates
• South Carolina 51
• Florida 52
• Georgia 57
• Mississippi 57
• Tennessee 57

• Highest Graduation Rates
• New Jersey 86
• North Dakota 84
• Iowa 83
• Utah 83
• Minnesota 82

(The Education Pipeline in the United States,
2004)
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• Understanding
• The Problem

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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)
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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
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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

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Risk Factors in Four Domains

• Individual
• Family
• Community
• School

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Family Factors

• Poverty
• Low expectations
• Abuse
• Mobility of family
• Parent level of education
• Language and literacy levels

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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

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Community Factors

• Lack of involvement with schools
• Lack of support for schools
• Non-caring environment
• Low expectations
• Violence
• Few recreational facilities

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Individual Factors

• Lack of future orientation
• Inadequate peer relationships
• Drug abuse
• Pregnancy
• Special learning needs
• Depression

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Variables Associated With Dropouts

• Status Variables
• Age, Gender
• Socioeconomic background
• Ethnicity
• Native Language
• Mobility
• Family Structure

(Lehr, C.A.,et.al, Essential Tools, 2004)
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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)
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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

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• 15 Strategies That Help Prevent Students From
  Dropping Out

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Dropout Prevention Everyones Problem
Systemic Renewal
Early Interventions
Learning
School-Community Collaboration
Systemic Renewal
Basic Core Strategies
Safe
Instructional Practices
Environments
Systemic Renewal
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Dropout Prevention Everyones Problem
Systemic Renewal
Systemic Renewal
Systemic Renewal
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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)
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Dropout Prevention Everyones Problem
Systemic Renewal
School-Community Collaboration
Systemic Renewal
Systemic Renewal
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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)
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Dropout Prevention Everyones Problem
Systemic Renewal
Learning
Systemic Renewal
School-Community Collaboration
Safe
Environments
Systemic Renewal
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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

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Dropout Prevention Everyones Problem
Systemic Renewal
Early Interventions
Learning
School-Community Collaboration
Systemic Renewal
Safe
Environments
Systemic Renewal
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Dropout Prevention Everyones Problem
Systemic Renewal
Early Interventions
Learning
School-Community Collaboration
Basic Core Strategies
Systemic Renewal
Safe
Environments
Systemic Renewal
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Basic Core Strategies

• Mentoring
• Service-Learning
• Alternative Schooling
• After-School Program Experiences

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Dropout Prevention Everyones Problem
Systemic Renewal
Early Interventions
Learning
School-Community Collaboration
Systemic Renewal
Basic Core Strategies
Safe
Instructional Practices
Environments
Systemic Renewal
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Making the Most of Instruction

• Professional Development
• Active Learning
• Educational Technology
• Individualized Instruction
• Career and Technical Education

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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)

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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.

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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)
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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)
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Dropout Prevention Everyones Problem
Systemic Renewal
Early Interventions
Learning
School-Community Collaboration
Systemic Renewal
Basic Core Strategies
Safe
Instructional Practices
Environments
Systemic Renewal
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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

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Contact Information

• National Dropout Prevention Center/Network
• Clemson University
• 209 Martin Street
• Clemson, SC 29631-1555
• Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
• E-mail ndpc_at_clemson.edu www.dropoutprevention.or
  g

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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