Insley,+Paula

high school students from dropping out? ||= See Below || students from dropping out of school ||= What is he age of the average high school dropout? ||=  || lower social econic status ||= What percentage of students that drop out get their GEDs or go to college? ||=  || drop out than continue intervention tactics ||
 * = **__What I KNOW__** ||= __**What I WANT to Know**__ ||= **__What I LEARNED__** ||
 * = *Statistically, minorities drop out of school more often ||= What type of programs are there to prevent
 * = *You must be 16 before you can drop out ||= How successful are these programs? ||=  ||
 * = * Currently, there are programs in place to prevent
 * = *More students drop out of school in districts with a
 * = *Many administrators would rather a troubled student
 * KWL Chart: High School Dropouts**

The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the topic of drop out prevention for at risk high school students to determine which program factors or methods are most effective.
 * Purpose Statement**

The number of high school students who drop out of school would decrease dramatically if certain preventative programs are implemented to aid at-risk students: specifically, programs that offer students choices in subject study, programs that involve the community, and programs that give students practical or vocational instruction, as well as academic instruction.
 * Thesis**

Discuss various ways school systems can improve to prevent at risk students from leaving school before receiving a diploma.
 * General Topic**

__Intro__
 * Outline**

__Stats__

__Why kids drop out__

__Program 1__

__Program 2__

__Program 3__

__Conclusion__

The report that focuses on students staying in school could be really helpful to show the opposite side of why students drop out. I think that your set up looks really good right now. I would just make sure that you cover all the programs that you discussed in you thesis. References Alliance for Excellent Education. (2009, September 1). The high cost of high school dropouts: What the nation pays for inadequate high schools. //Issue Brief//, 1-6. Retrieved from http://www.all4ed.org/‌files/‌HighCost.pdf This article from a brief by the Alliance for Excellent Education argues that if more students graduate from high school, not only with they have a higher income and better lives, but they will save the United States billions of dollars throughout their lifetime. When an individual earns higher wages, he or she pays more in taxes, increases purchases, and increases work productivity. Research has shown that each dropout costs the nation approximately $260,000 over his or her lifetime. When select students were surveyed as to the reason they dropped out of high school, the reasons included that they felt alienated, school was not teaching them real world skills, classes were irrelevant or uninterested, or they were failing academically. I choose this article to use for statistical purposes and to use in the section that explains why students are dropping out. Bridgeland, J. M., Dilulio, J. J., Jr., & Morison, K. B. (2006, March). //The silent epidemic: Perspectives of high school droputs//. Retrieved from delete Civic Enterprises website: Civic Enterprises website: http://www.civicenterprises.net/‌reports.php This report does not focus on the reasons that students drop out. Rather, the main topic focuses on what might help students stay in school. The following are the suggestions given, based on research, that are believed to help at risk students from early withdraw: -Improve teaching and curricula to make school more relevant and engaging -enhance the connection between school and work -improve instruction, and access to supports, for struggling students -build a school climate that fosters academics -ensure that students have strong relationships with at least one adult in the school -improve the communication between parents and schools The report goes into detail about each suggestion and how to make it work. It also includes sections on schools working with the communities to ensure student success. Dounay, J. (2008, August). //Beyond the GED: State strategies to help former droputs earn a high school diploma// (Policy Brief Rep. No. 7847). Retrieved from Education Commision of the States website: [] retrieval statement is just "Retrieved from http://www.blahblah.com" Although this policy brief is based on how to help individuals that have already dropped out of high school, the measures of dropout prevention are also discussed. The publication suggests the following ways of deterring early withdraw from school for students at risk: • Increasing the upper statutory age • Offering flexible means to accelerate learning and demonstrate course competencies • Providing flexible (not less rigorous) credit recovery options • Offering flexibility in course scheduling and course loads • Making clear connections to post-secondary education and/‌or the workforce The document also discusses the importance of a high school diploma for financial stability. Research was conducted concluding that in 2010, the decrease in employment opportunities and salaries for individuals without some post-secondary education will make it nearly impossible to support a family. //High School Graduation Initiative also known as School Dropout Prevention Program//. (2010, June 18). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education website: [] I would make the author the U.S. Department of Education for this source. This is the official government cite for the High School Graduation Initiative also known as School Dropout Prevention Program. Within this site, specific information for this piece of legislation can be found. Sections include purpose, eligibility, application information, awards, performance, funding status, resources, and the laws and regulations. I will use this information to discuss why some possibilities and possible programs are implemented, while others are not. Massachusetts selected for $15 million high school graduation Initiative project. (2010, November 3). //Right Vision News//. Retrieved from http://www.lexisnexis.com Massachusetts, a state that prides itself on being educational innovators, has recently been granted $15 million from the federal government for their high school graduation initiative project. The state’s dropout rate is currently under 3%, but they do not want to settle with low statistics. In this news article, they highlight four ways they are going to spend the majority of the funds they have been awarded. They are creating a state high school graduation coalition that will bring about inter-department communication and networking opportunities. They plan to expand the current dropout prevention recovery work group. In addition, for select schools, the state will implement research-based practices and track the efforts. And lastly, the state plans to establish three new gateways to college sites-an early college model to support at-risk students.

__What I Learned:__
 * Every year, approximately 1.3 million students become high school dropouts.
 * The unemployment rate for high school dropouts in July 2009 was 15.4 percent, compared to 9.4 percent for high school graduates, and 7.9 percent for individuals with some college credits or an associate’s degree, and 4.7 percent for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
 * Each dropout, over his or her lifetime, costs the nation approximately $260,000. Unless high schools are able to graduate their students at higher rates, nearly 13 million students will drop out over the next decade. The result will be a loss to the nation of $3 trillion
 * risk factors for dropping out include low grades, absenteeism, disciplinary problems, frequently changing schools, and being retained for one or more grades
 * at-risk students could be identified as early as seventh grade.
 * retention and academic success were the biggest indicators or early withdraw
 * In 2010, over fifty million dollars were distributed by the federal government to qualifying programs, and many grants are awarded for up to 60 months
 * the successful programs focused on research-based risk factors, included absenteeism, being retained one grade or more, and course failure.
 * Specific research dedicated to identifying students at risk for early withdraw from school, paired with programs addressing these issues, generate effective programs that will greatly increase the amount of high school graduates each year.