Dropout Prevention West Virginia

Session Overview

I. StatisticsII. Attendance/Dropout Prevention WVDE

CommitteeIII. Early Warning SystemIV. ABC FrameworkV. InterventionsVI. WVDE InitiativesVII. Role of the Attendance Director

What? 40 years ago the US was #1 in graduation

rates, we are now #18. WV graduation rate is 72%, slightly above the

national average. 37 student’s dropout of WV schools each day. Approximately 3500 students have dropped

out in WV each year.

Diplomas Count 2011 Report, Education Week West Virginia Department of Education 2011

So, What?Projected continued dropouts

At this rate, next ten years over 35,000 will drop out of WV schools.

Economy untrained workforce

Cost Each class of dropouts cost $55 million in healthcare. 80% of dropouts end up in prison 12 millions students who will drop out over the next decade

will cost the nation $3 trillion dollars.

Attendance/Dropout Prevention WVDE Committee

4 yr Cohort Rate

Guidance Document

Early Warning System

Guidance DocumentTable of Contents

o Purposeo View from the Mountain Topo Review of the Literatureo Primary Indicators of Dropping Outo Using Datao Early Warningo Course of Actiono Best Practices for Dropout Preventiono Research to Support Best Practiceso Resources

Early Warning Systems

PurposeProcess not an event

ABC Framework

Attendance

Behavior

Course Performance

At-Risk Studentsin West Virginia

Indicator 6th Grade 9th Grade

Attendance 90% or below 85% or below

Behavior 1 or more suspensions 2 or more suspensions

Course Performance 1 or more semester failures

English or Math

2 or more semester failures

English or Math

County: School: Grade: All Students

Early Warning System

ID Name Attendance Behavior/Discipline

Course Performance

Last Yr Attendance

Last Yr Grade Failure

Retentions

12 / 78 = 15.38%

2 2

12/ 78 = 15.38%

2 2

12/ 78 = 15.38%

2 None

10/78 =12.82%

2 2

12/78 =15,38%

5/78 =.06%

2

InterventionsAttendance Behavior Course Failure

Have attendance team investigate and problem solve

Assign an adult mentor

Assign Tutoring before, during and/or after school

Assign a peer mentor Carry behavior checklist from class to class or do a weekly behavior report

Assign to smaller class size/change levels/change teacher

Require a quick daily check by adult

Develop a behavior contract

Create “extra help” courses in place of electives or offer block courses for additional help

Create individual motivational/incentive plan for attendance

Refer for individual or group counseling

Credit recover opportunities

Prevention

• Policies• Incentives• Engaging instruction• Student lead conferences• Student voice and leadership• Culture of attendance• Bullying Prevention• Advisor/advisee program• College Foundation of West Virginia portal (CFWV)

Targeted Intervention• Home visits• Parent phone calls daily if needed• Parent conferences regularly to report progress• Secure services to alleviate reason (e.g. substance abuse

problem, refer to counseling for substance abuse) • Maintain close contact with attending physicians • Seek out extended family members that can help resolve the

problems• Assign a mentor to check on attendance daily • Assign a peer mentor• Expose students to career development opportunities (e.g.

possible job shadowing or courses in the career concentration of interest).

Personalized Interventions

• Create an individualized plan for the student• Refer to social services or other services needed• Distribute letter to parents after five days of

unexcused absences • Conduct parent conference and explain

procedures for filing truancy, possible consequences and collaborate solutions

• Refer case to prosecuting attorney• Document all absences and interventions• Monitor daily attendance and report to courts

Monitoring

WVDE Initiatives

1. Frontline Network: Community Dialogue to Action Education Alliance, WV Center for Civic Life, United Way

2. Judicial Truancy Meetings Chief Justice Robin Davis and Circuit Court Judge Alan Moatshttp://wvde.state.wv.us/player.php?m=x&vid=riseup/videos/truancy1http://wvde.state.wv.us/player.php?m=x&vid=riseup/videos/truancy2http://wvde.state.wv.us/player.php?m=x&vid=riseup/videos/truancy3http://wvde.state.wv.us/player.php?m=x&vid=riseup/videos/truancy4http://wvde.state.wv.us/player.php?m=x&vid=riseup/videos/

truancy5

More Initiatives3. Common Ground: Education & the Military

Career mentors

4. Innovation Zones Meaningful Partnerships, Early Warning Systems Community Dropout Prevention Plan

5. LINKS Student Advisement

6. 2012 Student Success Summit August 2 & 3, 2012 Waterfront Hotel, Morgantown WV

Website Tools

RiseUp WV http://wvde.state.wv.us/riseup/index.php

Dropout Prevention in WV http://wvde.state.wv.us/schoolimprovement/

Role of the Attendance DirectorRecommendations

Early Warning SystemsMember of data analysis teams Identify and assist in securing interventions

Interventions Assist in developing preventive interventionsAssist to secure Individual and Group interventionsReferrals for intensive /community services

Monitoring progressStudent Exit Process

Is it easier to leave your schools, than it is to enter your schools?

County Contact for Dropout Prevention

For more information contact:

Shelly DeBerryStudent Success Advocate

West Virginia Department of Educationsdeberry@access.k12.wv.us

304-558-3199

http://wvde.state.wv.us/schoolimprovement/graduation.html