The International Observatory on Academic Achievement - Documentary search

File number :
PPEE-DSC-13e

Bibliographic reference :
Schargel, F.P., & Smink, J. (2001). Identifying Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention. Dans F.P. Schargel & J. Smink (Eds), Strategies to Help Solve Our School Dropout Problem (pp. 31-44). Larchmont, NY: Eye On Education.

Abstract :

In the United States, the problem of school dropout has been defined as a priority since the 1980s; this has led to the establishment of many intervention and prevention programmes. However, several of these initiatives have not provided the expected results.

By reviewing studies carried out to assess the effectiveness of programmes, the authors of this book defined five major steps in the successful implementation of a school improvement plan and fifteen major strategies to prevent school dropout.

Five Steps to Comprehensive School Improvement
The authors suggested five basic steps in implementing a plan adapted to the needs of each school:
1) Determining area, school and programme priorities to properly define the objectives of the programme to be implemented;
2) Indexing current programmes and policies, and determining their strengths and weaknesses;
3) Selecting the most adequate programme according to established objectives;
4) Implementing and supporting changes brought about by the new plan;
5) Assessing implementation of the plan and its outcomes.

Fifteen Strategies for Dropout Prevention
The authors stressed the fact that no single programme is the perfect model for every school. This is why they recommended collecting as much information as possible on existing programmes and choosing the programme best adapted to the actual setting of each school based on local priorities and available resources. But how do local education leaders determine which programme is best suited to meet their needs?

Based chiefly on the work carried out by the National Dropout Prevention Center, the authors suggested fifteen strategies to assess programme relevance. These strategies were grouped in four categories.

Early Interventions
A solid, early childhood education along with strong reading and writing skills constitute an excellent start towards academic achievement.
(1) Encouraging family involvement;
(2) Encouraging early childhood educational enrichment (birth-3 years old);
(3) Facilitating the establishment of programmes to improve students’ reading and writing skills.

Basic Core Strategies
The following strategies have a particularly significant effect on low-performing students.
(4) Offering mentoring and/or tutoring to students;
(5) Encouraging students’ community involvement through activities connected to school learning (service learning);
(6) Diversifying educational pathways by offering special programmes, etc. (alternative schooling);
(7) Suggesting extracurricular activities after school hours and during summer holidays so students do not lose what was learned and are encouraged to develop an interest in various fields (out-of-school enhancement).

Making the Most of Instruction
The purpose of these strategies is to improve teachers’ skills and teaching methods, take advantage of educational technology and meet each student’s needs.
(8) Facilitating the ongoing professional development of teachers;
(9) Promoting the openness of teaching methods to the diverse learning styles of students and multiple intelligences;
(10) Using more educational technologies that offer learning situations adapted to a range of intelligences and learning styles;
(11) Offering individualized learning.

Making the Most of the Community
When students leave school, either before or after graduation, they return to their communities. Therefore, schools cannot be isolated from the community.
(12) Ongoing assessment of the goals and objectives of school organizational policies, practices and structures and their effects on various groups of learners (systemic renewal);
(13) Cooperating with the community;
(14) Establishing links between schools and the job market (career education and workforce readiness);
(15) Preventing violence, particularly by teaching conflict resolution.

Each strategy is then discussed in more details in its corresponding chapter in the book.

Key Words :
Strategies, Implementation Steps, Prevention Programmes, Intervention Programmes, National Dropout Prevention Center, School-community Partnership, Newsletter5

Monitored Countries :
United States