Dropout

This report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) builds upon a series of NCES reports on high school dropout and completion rates that began in 1988. It presents estimates of rates in 2008, provides data about trends in dropout and completion rates over the last three and a half decades (1972–2008), and examines the characteristics of high school dropouts and completers in 2008.

This report discusses the importance of early literacy in order to prepare adolescents to be college and career ready. It states that literacy crosses over into other subject areas such as science and math and problem solving skills in life. The authors suggest that linking instruction to the growing knowledge base on literacy and using current outcome data and best practices can help bridge this gap and lead to more prepared students.

This report from Civic Enterprises shares the results of focus group discussions with parents, teachers and students, and their views of the high school dropout dilemma. The authors note that each group had varying views on the causes of increased dropout and what could help improve the situation, and provide recommendations to address the perceived issues that contribute to dropping out.

This paper from the Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles uses 2005 National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) data to look at the dropout crisis among American Indian and Alaska Native students. The authors discuss implications of the findings for policy and practice and provide recommendations for future research including questions to consider to better understand the issue. They also call for the adoption and implementation of uniform reporting and data collection methods especially for this population.

This report from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices addresses the alarming high school dropout rate in the United States and identifies the root causes of the high school dropout crisis. The report provides a comprehensive action plan for states to keep students in school, reengage dropouts, and help youth succeed and strengthen state economies.

This fact sheet is intended to provide a snapshot of the current issues surrounding dropout factors among students who are identified with emotional disturbance, as well as to provide mental health resources that may assist this population to remain in high school.

This toolkit was created by Jobs for the Future for districts seeking to address and improve the needs of struggling students. The authors draw on lessons learned from several school communities around the country who have established effective methods for dropout prevention and systemic reform with regards to improving access and support for struggling students.

This brief by the National High School Center provides an in-depth look at the implementation and structural issues, as well as the needed support required to successfully institute Response to Intervention (RTI) at the secondary school level. It defines the RTI models, explores benefits and challenges faced at the high school level, shares a snapshot of implementation at the high school level, and outlines the necessary resources needed to support this work.

This fact sheet highlights the problem of dropout prevention facing America’s high schools today. It provides information on the students most likely to drop out, and examines the impact of dropouts on crime, the economy, personal incomes, and employment.

This report from the National High School Center outlines steps that schools can take to identify at-risk students and provide the necessary support systems and relevant interventions to assist students in obtaining a high school diploma. Further, the report discusses the use of early warning data systems to target interventions for groups and individual students, offers a variety of best practice approaches undertaken by higher-performing high schools, and presents effective programs that are currently being implemented to stem the dropout problem.