The Dropout

Problem:
Understanding and
Intervening
Steven Rockey
CNS 760
June 4, 2013
Outline
Definitions
Scope of the Problem
Consequences of Dropping Out
Who Stays and Who Drops Out? and Types of Dropouts
Strategies and Interventions
Exploration and Application
Wrap-it-up!
Defining Dropouts
Dropout: A pupil who leaves school before graduation and
before completing a program of study (McWhirter et al.)
US Dept. of Ed.
Event Dropouts and Status Dropouts
Event Dropouts withdraw from school within a specific time
frame, like during a school year
Status Dropouts are non-enrolled youths, ages 16-24 who
are out of school without a high school diploma
Defining Dropouts
Issues within definitions
Differing definitions between educators, school districts, states,
policymakers, and so on.
Even more confusing are how states differ on defining terms like
leave, illnesses, transfers, transience, etc.
For example, in one system, a student might be included in a
dropout statistic where in another, he/she might be considered
on leave or transient
Other questions abound:
Do those with GEDs count as grads?
What about those who drop out before even entering high school?
Who Makes Up This Population?
Whos At Risk?
Immigrant Students Latin America, Asia, and from
around the world
English proficiency English Immersion Programs being
mandated (McWhirter et al.)
Exceptional Students/Students with Disabilities
Social Alienation from teachers, students
Usually a tougher road to graduation




Who Makes Up This Population?
Whos At Risk?
Adjudicated Youth
Alienation from School
Prevalence of Learning Disabilities (8 in 10 incarcerated
youths) (McWhirter et al.)
LGBTQ Students
Physical, verbal abuse from teachers, students
School as not safe
Whos At Risk?
Racial Breakdown
Asian/Pacific Islander (AFGR: 93.5%, Event Dropout Rate: 1.9%)
White (AFGR: 83.0%, Event Dropout Rate: 2.3%)
Latino/Latina Students (AFGR: 71.4%, Event Dropout Rate:
5.0%)
Black (AFGR: 66.1%, Event Dropout Rate: 5.5%)
American Indian/Alaska Native (AFGR:69.1%, Event Dropout
Rate: 6.7%)
(Data from NCES, 2013, for the school year 2009-2010)
(AFGR = Averaged Freshman Graduation Rate)

Consequences of Dropping Out
Economic
High Unemployment and Underemployment
Lower Income
Demand for Highly Trained Workers = HS Diploma a MUST
Larger Government Subsidies and pay half as much in taxes
(McWhirter)
More likely to be involved in crime (thus, prison) and lower
life expectancy (Dynarski et al., 2008)
Consequences of Dropping Out
Social
Psychological Well-being worse off
Socioeconomic Conditions worse off
Lower Educational Expectations for their own children
Greater propensity for Health-Risk behaviors
Substance use, violence, physical inactivity, etc.
(McWhirter et al.)

Stayers and Leavers: Who
Stays and Who Goes?
Stayers vs. Leavers
Difference in Socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, parent
support for education, family structure, school behaviors,
and attitudes/abilities towards schoolwork (McWhirter et al.)
Also behavioral differences: Less likely to be involved in extra
curriculars, lower grades, lower test scores, less time on
homework, more discipline problems (cutting class, absent,
suspended, etc.)
Alienation from schools: many not involved in clubs,
academic work, alienation from peers, jobs as more
important
Types of Dropouts
Disengaged Dropouts Care little about school grades, few
school aspirations, education has no value to them
Low-Achiever Dropouts Weak commitment to education, poor
grades, learn little, lack of ability to fulfill minimal course
requirements
Quiet Dropouts appear to be involved in school, no disciplinary
troubles, few external problems, but poor grades
**These are the ones that can get lost in the cracks
Maladjusted Dropouts High levels of misbehavior, weak
commitment to education, poor performance, invest little in school
Specific Interventions
Alternative Education
Meeting the needs of those at risk
Schools for pregnant teens, homebound programs, career
academies, evening high schools (McWhirter et al.)
Based on atmosphere, personal relationships, smaller class
sizes
Access to Technology
Virtual Counseling Center
The Khan Academy

Specific Interventions
Solution-Focused Counseling
Transformation from Problem-focused to Solution-focused
Small baby steps can lead to bigger outcomes
Identifying exceptions and solutions
The Miracle Question
Its about being positive, encouraging goals, normalizing,
and .well focusing on solutions
Exploration and Application
Together, Lets Explore This Helpful Resource For
Dropouts/Dropout Prevention
http://www.dropoutprevention.org/
National Dropout Prevention Center/Network Clemson
University
What are some things that we like?
What are improvements that could be made? (If any)
How could we use this with our students?
Your Turn!
Individually, find a site or resource that you think would be
helpful for this population.
What are some strengths of the resource?
What could be improved upon?
How could you use this with your students/ or with a
student?

Wrap It Up
Why is this important?
What do you know now that you didnt before?
How can you now better serve your students?
Any other questions? Observations?