Thompson: You Can't Do Dropout Prevention On The Cheap

Some may be trying to outsource the job or rely almost entirely on high-tech solutions but in reality it takes a village to keep a kid in school, according to EdWeek's Catherin Gewertz, who reports that successful dropout prevention efforts are "staffing-heavy," requiring social workers, smaller classes, personalized instruction, credit recovery, and social-emotional support for struggling students and returning dropouts (here). In Chicago, dropout prevention also included "reengagement specialists," "acceleration institutes," and "social-service-community partnerships."  Dakarai Aarons described Baltimore's success in increasing the graduation rates of Black males and how it also requires an array of school and community efforts.  Dropout prevention has to be systematic, but it also requires one-on-one work with students because,  “Someone in the building has to know that student’s story.” - JT

Comments

[Character Education]

Thanks for the references, i am sure through these references we can get great ideas, i will be keep blogging in future, keep us updates with new ideas.

[Sharon]

But a lot cheaper way is to grant them their high school degree by getting them to complete a cyber high course over three or four weeks.

[john]

Sharon,

My students have a name for that - "exercising the right click finger." Sadly, their comments on "credit recovery" once were wry reflections on the hypocrisy of adults and the dishonesty of NCLB. Now, many see those games as the sole purpose of education.

Character Eduucation,

Thanks. Your cyber name expresses the value we should be passing on to kids.

[User Reviews]

I feel certain that dropout prevention is well worth money spent. We need to keep our kids and school, and give them a great education.

[Drivers Ed Online Georgia]

Thanks for sharing nice thoughts, i feel spending huge money to prevention dropouts is much better than spending on some war.