Show Details

Dropout Prevention and Recovery: Catching Students Before It’s Too Late - Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Description

Where To Watch

Show Resources

To help retain America’s economic leadership and security, our nation must ensure that every student receives a “world-class” education. Unfortunately, a significant number of students are leaving high school before obtaining the skills necessary to work in a competitive, knowledge-based, global economy and pursue some type of post-secondary education. Research shows that a young person without a high school diploma will earn less than half of what a college graduate makes and only two-thirds of the earnings of a high school graduate.

Although dropping out is a problem not limited to any particular group, many underserved communities—Hispanic, Native American, African American, low-income students and those with disabilities—are at greatest risk of not completing high school. Many factors can influence students to drop out, including: academic problems; a death, divorce or other significant transition in the family; pregnancy; language barriers and cultural assimilation difficulties; disabilities; or frequent absences or truancy. Studies show that even academically gifted students can be at risk. Documenting and assisting these students poses a great challenge for states and districts around the country, because there is no standard definition or reporting system to determine when a student is formally declared a dropout.

The good news is that there are prevention and recovery measures being employed across the country that are helping to catch at-risk students before it’s too late. Research shows that early identification, strong family involvement, clear instructional objectives and the monitoring of student progress can be effective in dropout prevention. Additionally, recovery efforts can help reconnect dropouts to a high school program that will better ensure completion. These strategies are giving at-risk students a real chance of achieving academic and professional success.

The November broadcast of Education News will focus on dropout prevention and recovery and will address questions such as:

• How does the No Child Left Behind Act help to ensure that public school districts be held accountable for the timely graduation of their students?
• What do successful dropout prevention and recovery programs look like?
• How can schools do a better job of reaching out to at-risk students and addressing their needs before they leave school?
• In what ways can schools and districts keep better track of students who stop going to school?
• What programs are available to help parents and schools keep students in school?
• In what ways can schools better prepare students for the rigors of high school?

Web Cast

To view live web casts of Education News or archived webcasts of past programs please visit www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/

Disclaimer
Permission: Teleconferences produced by the U.S. Department of Education are in the public domain.  Use, duplication, and distribution are free and unrestricted.  Thank You !