Signs that Matter: Using Early Indicators to Lower the Dropout Rate
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Omni Parker House Hotel
Boston, MA
Presented by the:
Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
Youth Transitions Task Force
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Jobs for the Future
Join us as we discuss the collection and use of dropout indicators in several districts, and analyze the implications for utilizing such models in Massachusetts.
Session Overview
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Research Presentations |
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Pathways to Graduation - Lisa Cloitre, Parthenon Group Presentation on the Chicago Public Schools - John Easton, Consortium on Chicago School Research Presentation on the Philadelphia Public Schools - Ruth Curran Neild, Johns Hopkins University Presentation on the Use of Early Indicators in the Boston Public Schools - Jennifer Amigone and Ellen Guiney, Boston Plan for Excellence |
Massachusetts, like other states across the nation, is struggling with an unacceptable four-year graduation rate. Nearly one in five students does not graduate with a high school diploma in four years. These rates are even more alarming in urban centers, where nearly 50% of students do not graduate from high school. Despite its reputation as a high-performing state, many students in Massachusetts are not getting the support they need to reach their fullest potential.
There was once a time when a high school dropout could earn enough to survive – even to own a home and support a family. But today the current average salary for those without a high school diploma is only moderately higher than the federal poverty level. In today’s economic environment, allowing students to drop out is the equivalent of allowing students to commit economic suicide. Many of these students send out warning signals for years before they actually leave school – signals like poor attendance, disruptive behavior and low credit accumulation rates. If we are to prevent students from dropping out, a critical first step is identifying these early indicators and using them to determine the types of supports needed to keep students in school.
At this event, national experts in the collection and analysis of high school dropout indicators in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia will share progress, successes and challenges from their work. Following the research presentation, a panel will discuss policy implications for developing early warning systems.
Research Presentation
Identifying the Problem: Early Indicators
Lisa Cloitre, Director, Education Center of Excellence at the Parthenon Group
John Easton, Executive Director, Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago
Ruth Curran Neild, Research Scientist, Johns Hopkins University
Jennifer Amigone, Research Director, Boston Plan for Excellence
Policy Panel
Policy Implications for Developing Systems of Early Indicators
Senator Edward Augustus, Vice-Chair, Joint Committee on Education, Massachusetts State Legislature
Paul Reville, President, Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy; Director, Education Policy and Management Program and Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education; Chair, Massachusetts Board of Education
Elizabeth Reilinger, Chair, Boston School Committee
Basan Nembirkow, Superintendent, Brockton Public Schools
Richard Stutman, President, Boston Teachers Union
Robert Curtin, Information Services, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Moderator
REGISTRATION
Registration for this forum has closed. Please visit the Rennie Center website for information about the presentations and discussions offered.
