Dropout Prevention Part 2

Dropout prevention requires layers of support and an early warning system...layer upon layer to catch kids at different times with different needs and a way to make sure we catch each one in time to offer help.

Each student, and even each adult, is just one event from being at-risk. Make sure each student has at least one caring adult in the school s/he can talk to in case of a problem. Make sure each adult is prepared to respond appropriately.

It seems important to consider the reasons kids drop out - and that especially includes younger students who drop out long before they quit attending school. 

When working directly with schools, I worked on some data over a period of time.    I found a correlation for several factors:  grades in English, Math, PE, attendance, behavior, at-risk issues (including family), IEP, etc.   Some areas are out of a school's control, but it's important to come up with interventions for each and every aspect that we can possibly impact. 

It's important to be flexible.  An intervention for one student may not be effective for another student in a similar circumstance.  What can we try that's different?  What can we try that hasn't been done?  What will work for this student?

The staff needs to focus on what's best for kids.  Sometimes staff members believe they are thinking of kids, but an idea, plan, schedule isn't really going to make a difference for kids.  (Example:  At one time we were in a discussion about planning periods.  One educator proposed that we should rotate planning periods each year so that kids didn't have the same schedule.  However, when we analyzed the potential changes, the purpose was actually to give teachers a rotating schedule.  This would not be a problem IF the change would benefit students.) 

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