1. Engaging Dropout Prevention Students with Active Learning: The Oral History of the Vietnam War as a Case Study.

2. The State Graduation Rate
Florida
63% for whites
51% for African Americans
52% for Hispanics (Bairu, 1999).

3. The District Graduation Rate
59% of whites
41% of African Americans
54% of Hispanics (Greene, 2002).

4. Social Bonding Theory
Hirschi (1969) & Whelage (1989) * Attachment – Emotional Component * Commitment – Rational Component * Involvement – Getting active in school * Belief – I believe I can succeed

5. Intellectual Engagement Engaging Schools (2003)
Beliefs about
competence and
Control
Values and goals
Social connectedness
Academic
Engagement
Educational
Context
(e.g. school
climate,
organization,
composition,
size)
and instruction

6. The History of the Vietnam War Class
Popular Culture of the War
Class Guests
Visits to the VA
A Special Curriculum Based DC Trip

7. The Students 25 students participated in the class
13 students met the criteria for the study of attending the last 12 weeks of the semester
5 students were interviewed for the Case Study the following semester

8. Research Question #1 What difference do students
see between their involvement the History of the Vietnam War course
and other courses they have taken?

9. Research Question #2
In the student’s own voice which active learning strategies employed
in a History of the Vietnam War course
most affected their level of engagement
and participation in the course?

10. Research Question #3 How did participation in the
Vietnam War course affect other areas
of academic and school performance
among high school students?

11. Quantitative Data
Days absent Days Absent Cum Fall Semester Sprin
School Year Fall Spring GPA prior GPA class GPA after
# NA NA # # # # # # # # # # # NA NA #

12. FCAT (State High Stakes Test)
FCAT Math FCAT Reading Before After Before After # # # # # # # # # # # # #

13. Findings Finding 1 - Building Relationships Finding 2 – Mutual Respect
Finding 3 - Emotion and Learning
Finding 4 - Intergenerational Cross-Mentoring
Finding 5 - The Popular Culture Element
Finding 6 - Connecting Curriculum
Finding 7 - Negative Experiences
Finding 8 - Classroom Guests
Finding 9 - The Power of

14. Conclusions All students are capable of success.
One class can change a student both
in school and outside of school.
Active learning techniques, including oral history, can change how students feel about themselves and school.