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Recommendation Three
Implement the best research-based dropout prevention programs
Recommendation documents
 

Recommendation Three

We Recommend...

that states and local educational agencies adopt targeted interventions (starting in elementary and middle schools) focused on early warning signs of students in danger of dropping out, to identify such students and put an educational safety net under them.

Core indicators for this recommendation
  • Graduation Rates of Public High School Students
    Most Recent Estimate
    As of 2008
    74.9%
    of students who enter public high school as freshmen earn a high school diploma within four years.
    1.5ppts
    2007-08
    View details for this indicator
  • National Status Dropout Rate — Excluding Institutional Populations
    Most Recent Estimate
    As of 2008
    8%
    Status dropouts account for 8 percent of the 37.6 million noninstitutionalized civilians ages 16 to 24 living in the nation.
    0.7ppts
    2007-08
    View details for this indicator
  • National Status Dropout Rate — Including Institutional Populations
    Most Recent Estimate
    As of 2008
    9.1%
    The status dropout rate is 9.1 percent for 16- to 24-year-olds (including institutional populations).
    No change
    2007-08
    View details for this indicator
  • National Event Dropout Rate
    Most Recent Estimate
    As of 2008
    4.1%
    The national event dropout rate is 4.1 percent for public high school students in grades nine through 12.
    No change
    2007-08
    View details for this indicator
 
 
Colorado
created the Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement to reduce the dropout rate and increase the graduation and completion rates. The office must develop a report of best practices for reducing the dropout rate and increasing student engagement.
Georgia
appropriates funds for a graduation coach in each public high school to identify at-risk students and help keep them on track academically before they consider dropping out. In 2007, the legislature expanded the program to include middle schools.
Rhode Island
requires the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to work with school districts that have the lowest high school graduation rates to incorporate progressive support and intervention with specific dropout prevention strategies and targeted resources.

How We Assemble Our Indicators

  • The indicators are rigorous
  • The indicators are measureable on a regular basis
  • The indicators have the ability to be disaggregated
Learn about the commission’s criteria to select indicators