Rural Dropout Prevention Resources

The National Dropout Prevention Center is pleased to offer a collection of films, tools, webinars, slide presentations, and articles that are designed specifically to assist practitioners who work to improve graduation rates in rural schools and communities. We invite you to review these resources and utilize them to support your work.

Many of these resources were developed by the National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC), the American Institute for Research (AIR), and the Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) for the US Department of Education to support the High School Graduation Initiative’s (HSGI) Rural Dropout Prevention Project (Contract No. ED-ESE-13-C-0069). The video products were developed by NDPC/N, AIR, and MSG in partnership with Clemson Broadcast Productions at Clemson University.

15 Rural Dropout Prevention Videos

“Increasing Support Systems for High Potential At-Risk Learners in Rural Areas”

Solutions to the Dropout Crisis [Video Webcast]

“Public Schools at the Crossroads: Addressing the Dropout Challenge in Rural America”

Solutions to the Dropout Crisis [Video Webcast]

Rural Dropout Prevention Issues & Solutions

Harmon, H., & Smink, J. (2017)

This guidebook provides a wealth of information on designing and implementing a successful dropout prevention initiative in a rural school environment. In addition to the evidence-based research noted in the publication, it offers suggestions and ideas drawn from practitioner-based experiences found in rural schools across America.

The Rural Principal’s Guide To Dropout Prevention

Addis, S., Bales, S., & Krise, R. (2017) This guidebook identifies key dropout prevention practices, such as early identification of at-risk students, policy and procedure analysis, community engagement, social isolation, and grade transition, taking into account the multiple duties and limited resources typically experienced by rural principals.

Recovery and Reengagement Initiatives in Rural Contexts

Bales, S., & Addis, S. (2017)

This instrument addresses the challenge of finding, reenrolling, and reengaging dropouts in rural communities. Educators often need to evaluate and improve these programs but lack resources for external evaluation and technical assistance. The resource adapts research-based recovery program criteria to the rural context and yields a rating of the local program that can then be used to focus change efforts.

A Guide for Rural High School Graduation Coach Implementation

Bales, S., & Addis, S. (2017)

This guide addresses building support for a graduation coach program, funding the initiative, selecting the right personnel, and developing the job description(s). It also includes a readiness assessment, task checklists, and budget planning worksheets.

The Local School Board’s Role in Dropout Prevention

(Standard Screen) [PowerPoint Presentation] The Local School Board’s Role in Dropout Prevention (Widescreen) [PowerPoint Presentation] Bales, S., & Addis, S. (2017)

This presentation offers school district superintendents or others a guided resource that can be edited to include local data and information. This resource serves as a prompt for discussion of dropout rates by school board members. The presentation is available in standard screen and widescreen, and a hard copy print of the facilitator’s guide is available from the NDPC/N Store. Notes under each slide in the presentation can also serve as a facilitator’s guide.

Rural School Dropout Issues: Implications for Dropout Prevention—Strategies and Programs

Smink & M. Reimer: National Dropout Prevention Center/Network. June 2009

This NDPC/N report was prepared for the Gilmore Foundation, Amory, MS. It provides a brief overview of national dropout issues— both data and risk factors, with emphasis on those in rural areas—and then focuses on the particular factors that have the greatest impact on students in Mississippi, presenting the critical challenges for rural areas; and recommending strategies and programs to address the issues discussed.

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