The 2015 National Forum on Dropout Prevention for Native and Tribal Communities, “Building Engaging Educational Communities for Native Students,” is a professional development activity sponsored by The National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N), in partnership with The National Indian Education Association, Alaska Staff Development Network, Iowa Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Education, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, South Dakota Department of Education, South Dakota Board of Regents, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Leech Lake Tribal College, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Prairie Island Dakota Community, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
The Forum will feature nationally known keynote speakers as well as professional educators. Presentations will emphasize a variety of strategies that work with native students who are at risk of dropping out of school before high school graduation. The conference strands are (1) addressing the opportunity gap, (2) instructional strategies to increase learning, (3) behavioral supports, (4) family and community engagement, (5) school climate: safety and student wellness, (6) service-learning and restorative justice, (7) digital communication and engagement, (8) reengagement and recovery strategies, and (9) culture and language.