This webinar will examine how rural schools are using graduation coaches to help students earn a high school diploma. Guest presenters will share strategies and lessons learned from three programs including an initiative from Georgia that was adapted for use in rural school systems in Canada.
After participating in the webinar, participants will:
Understand the rationale for and advantages of graduation coach programs as dropout prevention tools.
Be aware of the various graduation coach models and structures.
Understand the contextual challenges that make graduation coach programs both valuable in rural environments and challenging to implement.
Know about specific examples of graduation coach programs and models in rural schools and in schools serving tribal populations.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Sandy Addis
Director, National Dropout Prevention Center/Network
Kim Wagner
Dropout Prevention Coordinator, Randolph County, North Carolina
Allison Mosley
Student Advocate Specialist, Wheatmore High School, RandolphCounty, North Carolina
Francisco Ramirez
Education Program Specialist, US Department of Education
Pamela Sparklingeyes
Director of Aboriginal Learning Services, Edmonton, Alberta
This webinar is produced by the Manhattan Strategy Group with funds from the U.S. Department of Education’s High School Graduation Initiative program. For questions about the webinar or if you are in need of technical assistance, contact Logan Connor at lconnor@manhattanstrategy.com
Toyota USA Foundation Awards Grant to National Dropout Prevention Network for Three-State Career Readiness Program
Multiyear Initiative Aims to Decrease Dropout Rates and Provide 21st Century Workforce Readiness Skills to 24,000 High School Students in New York, Kentucky, and Mississippi
Clemson, SC—(September 3, 2015)—The Toyota USA Foundation announced a three-year, $1.5 million grant for the National Dropout Prevention Network (NDPN) to support high school students interested in pursuing career-focused education in the midst of the country’s growing need for more skilled workers in the manufacturing industry. The Career-Ready System for High School Students will target up to 24,000 high school students in New York, Kentucky, and Mississippi.
“Toyota is invested in paving pathways for student to careers in manufacturing to strengthen our nation’s workforce and economy,” said Michael Rouse, Toyota USA Foundation President. “We’re pleased to support the National Dropout Prevention Network in this important initiative to keep students in school and encourage education around STEM subjects.”
NDPN was one of eight nonprofits to receive grants from the Toyota USA Foundation for the Summer 2015 funding round, which provided a total of $5.8 million in grants to support the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Toyota USA Foundation grants ranged from $100,000 to $1.5 million, with NDPN being one of two organizations receiving the highest grant amounts.
Partnering with NDPN on the project is WIN Learning, a Kingston, TN, company that provides career readiness solutions to help students prepare for their futures, whether they’re bound for college, trade school, a military career, or the workplace. The grant will provide career and college readiness software and professional development training in selected school districts in the aforementioned states.
The National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N) was established in 1986 with a mission to increase graduation rates through research and evidence-based solutions. The organization is based on the Clemson University campus in Clemson, SC. Its resources, including the 15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention, areutilized by many state agencies and school districts across America.
The Toyota USA Foundation’s funding of the Career-Ready System for High School Students program recognizes today’s new model for career-focused education, which integrates academic and work-based learning with career exploration, guidance, and relevant experiences that prepare students for the new economy. School districts across the country are embracing this model, and tailoring it to meet the needs of their districts, all with the goal that career-focused students graduate with the skills and knowledge to transition toward their desired careers.
“Research has shown that integrated school-career programs like this one, along with the proper guidance and support systems, have a positive impact on keeping students engaged and in school through graduation,” said Sandy Addis, director of the NDPC/N. “We are tremendously pleased that the Toyota USA Foundation shares our mission to decrease dropout rates and to ensure that students are prepared in the specific, core, and soft skills they will need in order to succeed in the careers they want to pursue. This project is consistent with the goals of both NDPC/N and Clemson University to improve graduation rates through innovation and service.”
The Career-Ready System for High School Students will launch in selected school districts in the three states in the fall, focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and other skills needed to excel in industry. The project goals will be supported by WIN’s interactive software program and apps that will enable students to explore careers of interest to them while earning credentials aligned with industry standards.
About the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N)
Established in 1986, the NDPC/N shares solutions for school dropout prevention through its clearinghouse function, active research and evaluation projects, publications, and a variety of professional development activities and conferences. Our Web site—www.dropoutprevention.org—is the nation’s leading resource in providing effective, research-based solutions for reducing dropout and increasing high school graduation rates. The NDPC/N is housed in the Eugene T. Moore School of Education at Clemson University in Clemson, SC.
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Contacts for Media:
Lynn Dunlap
Public Information Director
National Dropout Prevention Center/Network
Phone: 864-656-2678
Email: ldunlap@clemson.edu
Clemson, SC—(August 24, 2015)—Dr. Steven L. Paine has joined the Board of Directors of the National Dropout Prevention Network (NDPN). Paine, who served for six years as West Virginia’s 25th superintendent of schools, is a nationally recognized educator credited with transforming the state’s public school instructional program.
“We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Paine as a new member of our Board of Directors,” said Bob Collins, NDPN Board Chair. “He has dedicated his career to school system improvement and education public policy leadership for more than three decades. His contributions and counsel are sure to benefit our current and future efforts to reduce dropout nationwide, and improve educational outcomes for all students.”
Paine is currently the educational innovation leader for BrightBytes, a San Francisco-based digital research company that has developed, among other technologies, an “early warning system” designed to predict, identify, and prevent dropout risk factors so that educators can intervene, drive graduation rates, and improve student learning outcomes.
“I’m pleased to be elected to the Board at such a dynamic time for the organization,” said Paine. “I look forward to collaborating with the Board in furthering NDPN’s outreach to students, educators, and https://dropoutprevention.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/C.W.-Gardenhire-pic.jpgistrators in the ongoing effort to decrease dropout in every school district in the nation.”
A West Virginia resident for nearly 40 years, Paine earned an EdD in Educational Leadership Studies, and an MA in Educational Administration from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. He also holds a BA in Education from Fairmont State College in Fairmont, WV.
Paine has also been a vice president for CTB/McGraw-Hill, a senior advisor to the McGraw-Hill Education Research Foundation, and Chief Administrative Officer for Engrade, a digital start-up that is now part of McGraw-Hill. In addition to education advocacy; school system improvement; and school, district, and state technology planning; Paine’s expertise includes knowledge of federal law and public policy regarding programs such as No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
About the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N)
The NDPC/N was begun in 1986 to serve as a clearinghouse on issues related to dropout prevention, and to offer strategies designed to increase the graduation rate in America’s schools. Over the years, the NDPC/N has become a well-established national resource for sharing solutions for student success. It does so through its clearinghouse function, active research and evaluation projects, publications, and through a variety of professional development activities. The organization’s Web site—www.dropoutprevention.org—is the nation’s leading resource in providing effective, research-based solutions to engaging students and reducing dropout. In addition, the NDPC/N conducts a variety of third-party evaluations and Program Assessment and Reviews (PARs). By promoting awareness of successful programs and policies related to dropout prevention, the work of the Network and its members has made an impact on education from the local to the national level.
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For Additional Information Contact:
Mark Cheatham/Public Information Director
National Dropout Prevention Center/Network
Phone: (864) 656-4139
Email: mrc2@clemson.edu
NCES and BJS just released its annual report examining crime in schools and colleges covering topics such as victimization, bullying, school conditions, fights, weapons, the presence of security staff at schools, the availability and student use of drugs and alcohol, and student perceptions of personal safety at school. A number of indicators of school safety have improved in recent years. Read here.
This recently released 2-page report/infographic from the Institute of Education Sciences uses data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09) to examine the extent to which high school students drop out of school between the ninth and eleventh grade and how dropout rates vary by sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
“It’s not enough to dream big. You have to have the tools and skills to make it happen.” Indeed, mentoring is one effective practice in preventing students from dropping out of school, according to the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network.
But the hot days of summer bring benefits for students when they’re spent soaking up learning, she says. “Summer is the only chance kids have to get caught up and get ahead,” she says..
And that boost helps kids from falling behind and being held back says Sandy Addis of the National Dropout Prevention Center.
“Summer programs are a great anti-retention tool, and we know that there is a strong correlation between being retained in grade and not graduating,” he said. “Anything that magnetizes a child to school certainly will help.”
In rural settings, recovery and reengagement programs must adapt to remote locations, transportation issues, scarce funding resources, and small populations. Local cultural and value systems must also be considered and addressed if dropouts are to be attracted to and retained by recovery/reengagement program offerings.Participants in this event will leave with an understanding of:
The range of dropout recovery and reengagement options that are typically used across the nation;
Unique challenges faced by https://dropoutprevention.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/C.W.-Gardenhire-pic.jpgistrators in rural contexts; and
What factors will ultimately lead to success.
This webinar will include presentations by https://dropoutprevention.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/C.W.-Gardenhire-pic.jpgistrators of two successful but very different rural recovery and reengagement programs, a multi-county charter program in rural northeast Georgia and a residential program serving numerous rural communities in Wasilla, Alaska.
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Sandy Addis
Director, National Dropout Prevention Center/Network
Debra Day-Lewis
Director of Student Services, Mountain Education Charter High School, Cleveland, GA
Adam Mokelke
Principal, Burchell High School, Wasilla, AK
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This webinar is produced by the Manhattan Strategy Group. For questions about the webinar or if you are in need of technical assistance, contact Jessie Stadd here.
CLEMSON, SC—In an effort to close the large and lingering gaps in graduation rates for many groups of disengaged or disadvantaged students, WIN Learning, developers of the WIN Career Readiness System, and the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N), the nation’s leader in school dropout prevention, have formed a strategic partnership to help students recognize the personal relevance of their education, reach their learning potential, and graduate from high school ready for college or career.
WIN Learning will support NDPC/N efforts to inform all stakeholders about college and career readiness measures that exist. Both organizations will participate in both regional and national discussions, events, and conferences that drive a greater societal conversation on strategies designed to invigorate graduation rates.
“The nation’s quest to achieve a 90% high school graduation rate by 2020 is attainable if we—a broad coalition of educators, businesses, nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, and public officials—join together,” said Joseph Goins, Executive Vice President of WIN Learning. “At WIN Learning, we believe the biggest impact and return on improving graduation, and reducing dropout rates, is by promoting a K-12 culture that values college and career readiness for all students.”
Founded in 1986 and headquartered on the Clemson University campus in Clemson, South Carolina, the NDPC/N provides research and effective, evidence-based solutions that can be utilized by schools, districts, and communities in their efforts to decrease dropout rates, and increase graduation rates nationally.
“Our organization is the nation’s premiere resource for schools, districts, and educators seeking proven, research-based methods to help increase graduation rates,” said Dr. Sandy Addis, Executive Director of NDPC/N. “Our outreach and events put us in the same orbit as companies like WIN Learning who have cutting-edge approaches, ideas, and products that are allied with our overarching goal to assist youths in completing their high school education. Linking learning to life is an effective strategy to bolster student engagement in school, and in turn reduce dropout. Career awareness and meaningful preparation is one way to link learning to life. We’re extremely pleased to be in partnership with such an exceptional company that can help students in this way.”
Since 1996, WIN Learning has provided career readiness solutions to help students prepare for their futures, whether they are college, trade school, military, or workplace bound. The web-based Career Readiness System begins with myStrategic Compass, a career exploration, planning, and guidance tool. Next, students can access two courseware systems. The WIN Career Readiness Courseware includes instructional content that reinforces the relevance between foundational skills–in Applied Mathematics, Locating Information and Reading for Information. The WIN College Readiness Courseware is a digital test prep curriculum that helps learners achieve foundational college readiness in Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Reading, and Writing/English. The system also supports soft skills development via WIN Soft Skills as a means for students to cultivate their interpersonal, problem-solving, and team collaboration skills in demand by employers.
The company recently launched WIN Math, a career-infused, mathematics and workplace skills program. Designed for students in grades 5-8 who are on grade-level or high school students who are below grade level, the WIN Math curriculum is organized into 21 capstone projects addressing 16 career clusters with emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.
About WIN Learning
For nearly 20 years, WIN Learning has become the leading provider of career readiness solutions to help districts prepare pathways for students’ futures, whether they are college, trade school, military, or workplace bound. For more information, go to www.winlearning.com or call 888-717-9461.
About the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N)
The NDPC/N was begun in 1986 to serve as a clearinghouse on issues related to dropout prevention, and to offer strategies designed to increase the graduation rate in America’s schools. Over the years, the NDPC/N has become a well-established national resource for sharing solutions for student success. It does so through its clearinghouse function, active research and evaluation projects, publications, and through a variety of professional development activities. The organization’s Web site—www.dropoutprevention.org—is the nation’s leading resource in providing effective, research-based solutions to engaging students and reducing dropout. In addition, the NDPC/N conducts a variety of third-party evaluations and Program Assessment and Reviews (PARs). By promoting awareness of successful programs and policies related to dropout prevention, the work of the Network and its members has made an impact on education from the local to the national level.
