Anderson, SC (March 22, 2021)—In response to the pandemic’s effect on at-risk students, schools, and graduation rates, the National Dropout Prevention Center, a division of Successful Practices Network, announces the release of The Pandemic’s Effect on At-Risk Students, Schools, and Graduation Rates. The practice guide addresses pandemic-related issues and identifies opportunities for schools and districts to prepare for the growing number of students who will be identified as at risk as a result of missed, delayed, and compromised school attendance and instruction.

Anderson, SC (October 27, 2020)—The National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC) is pleased to award the nation’s first certification in the Trauma-Skilled Schools Model to the Alternative Program of the School District of Greenville County. The certification is the result of a two-year process led by Dr. Kathie Greer, Director of Alternative Programs and who is herself a Trauma-Skilled Specialist and certified Trauma-Skilled Schools Model trainer.

Anderson, SC (March 24, 2020) — School closures are traumatizing students, families, and educators, presenting a new dropout risk factor and requiring schools to develop immediate virtual solutions. The National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC) has produced topical videos and virtual professional development to support schools and educators during current uncertain times.

Anderson, SC—(February 10, 2020)—The National Dropout Prevention Center announces the release of a new guide for improving the effectiveness and the graduation rates of alternative schools. This practice guide offers a clear and actionable process and guiding questions that school leaders can use to analyze their alternative schools and programs and to make changes to improve student outcomes.  

Anderson, SC—(December 18, 2019)—The National Dropout Prevention Center, a division of Successful Practices Network, announces the nation’s first graduate of the Trauma-Skilled Specialist certification program. Melisa Sandoval, Support Director of Social Emotional Learning and Student Agency for Westminster Public Schools in Westminster, Colorado, completed the program earlier this month.

Anderson, SC--The National Dropout Prevention Center has released five online courses and a series of Trauma-Skilled Schools Institutes to help educators better meet the needs of trauma-impacted students and to meet state and local training needs. Many states and local school districts are recommending or mandating trauma training and an efficient and cost-effective way to accomplish this training is needed.

Dr. Bill Daggett, Founder of ICLE and an internationally known speaker on the importance of preparing our graduates with the skills needed for the future workforce, Ray McNulty, President of Successful Practices Network and the National Dropout Prevention Center, and Dr. Sandy Addis, Director of the National Dropout Prevention Center, coauthored an Op-ed asking if we’ve correctly addressed what students need for graduation, especially those most at-risk, and proposing that we have additional avenues that can help increase graduation rates.

Anderson, SC—(April 23, 2019)—The National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC), a division of Successful Practices Network, announces two new certification programs, the Trauma-Skilled Specialist Certification for individual educators and the Trauma-Skilled School Certification for schools and/or school districts. Both programs address the growing need for educators and schools to adopt specific action steps that will increase the opportunities for trauma-impacted and stressed students to succeed and graduate.

Anderson, SC (October 24, 2018)—In response to an alarming rise in the number of students who have experienced trauma and mental health issues and who do not succeed in school, the National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC) and the Successful Practices Network (SPN) announce the release of the Trauma-Skilled Schools Model.