How Did North Carolina High Schools Improve Their Graduation Rates? Dr. Janna Robertson Dr. Robert Smith

Question How did schools that markedly improved their graduation rates accomplish their success?

Methods Participants 1.We examined their 2006 graduation rate 2.Compared it to their 2010 graduation rate 3.Schools with less than 100 students were excluded 4.The top 50 which showed the most improvement were sent a link to an online survey

Participants: 23 Schools Name 4yr % yr % 2010 Difference Northeastern High Northampton High West Stem Southside High Southern Vance High Ben L Smith High Mooresville Senior High Jacksonville High Northern Vance High Shelby High Polk County High Franklin High Bunn High Westover High South Brunswick High Statesville High Northern Nash High

Results: Policies

Policies

Policy Descriptions Attendance & tardy changed/enforced/monitored 21 credits Credit recovery (online) In school suspension No failure/all work made up/late work Individual meetings/family meetings/contracts

Student Characteristics

Interventions Used

Main Interventions

Other Interventions Response to intervention Small learning communities Peer and adult tutors, after school and AVID Student led professional learning communities Revised schedule, reteach retest Life skills training Freshman academy Online instruction/credit recovery College preparatory program Grant funded partnership with the YMCA

Support

District Support Descriptions 21 credit/computer programs Professional development Buses for after-school tutoring Graduation coaches Computers, social worker, alternative high schools Special programs Celebrations

Evidenced Based Interventions

Curriculum Relevance

Interesting Teachers

Overall Improved monitoring of students with follow-up and individual interventions Culture change of school with high expectations and monitoring of high quality teaching Changing policies to give student more of a chance and opportunities Hiring, retaining and professional development of teachers and administrators to “go the extra mile” Support staff: Graduation coaches, social workers Family involvement, increased and sooner Special programs: Academic and life skills Strong leadership and make graduation a high priority

Interviews Four Interviews completed Preliminary results supports surveys but gives more details Demonstrates how Dropout Prevention success is tailored to the particular school

Conclusions There is no one way to improve graduation rates Interventions were pervasive and several required funding and additional resources Strong evidence that graduation rates can be improved

Some thoughts... High stakes accountability puts lot of pressure on schools to increase the numbers –is there a possible tension between increasing graduation rates and loosening standards? Increasing graduation rates for some schools was part of larger policy to change the whole school culture of learning while at others it was more of a stand alone focus 70% of respondents indicated that School districts did not lead the change. Given that dropping out and the solutions occur district wide, why are there not more systemic/district wide approaches?