Module 5 CI 583 SHSU Spring 2011

1. The purpose of this research is to discover factors that lead to a decision of dropping out of school, and how the decision can be prevented. Sara Grimm Module 5

2. “Dropping out is more of a process than an event—a process that, for some students, begins in early elementary school.”- President Obama

3. Top reasons why some consider dropping out of school Dislike of school Instruction pace Pregnancy Bullying Retention

4. In the early Elementary years: School work becomes very challenging Acceptance by peers begin to become more defined, and others begin to notice who needs more “time” to finish assignments Teasing and bullying often using the word “stupid” or “retarded” by peers The play time fades and work begins Parental support is needed tremendously, through homework, programs, academics, or just signing a folder One teacher who either loves or hates them in their opinion

5. The Junior High years: State testing becomes more accountable Bullying and teasing increases Extra curricular activities begin to set grade requirements Advance classes, and the “smart group” forms Self esteem declines Several teachers Success felt in physical education or elective class or not at all

6. High school years: Retained, how do they know? Am I really the only 9th grader with a drivers license? Ranking and GPA More social groups and extra curricular activities Influence of older friends who also hate school They become one in a 100+ and teachers barely know anything about them Employment begins

7. Employment in High School Students who feel more success from their boss than their teacher realize they would rather work all day even if it means they will make minimum wage for several years Veronica who was set to graduate in 2000 from CISD, said she dropped out to join the work force until she realized, “school was cooler than punching a time clock in restaurant industries.”

8. Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, a member of the Senate Education Committee “This is the time bomb. This is the tsunami that started already. If you look at our demographics, we have go to solve this problem. “ Van de Putte, was referring to what others are now nicknaming as dropout factories. HISD is one of the dropout factories with 22 high school on the list. Once the dropouts start it has a ripple effect, prevention is key.

9. From the National Center of Education Statistics Reports: 1972-2008 http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2011/dropout08/

10. Which groups have the highest percent? In 2007 the Chronicle reported that the highest dropout rate was amongst the Hispanic population. Hispanics represent 45% of the dropouts, but they also make up the largest population in the state with 4.6 million students.

11. Dropping out, how long are the effects? According to the National Dropout Prevention Center

12. Governor Rick Perry’s approach “The fact is, a single drop out is too many, so we’ve got to continue pursuing sensible, proven options and give every Texan an option at a better life.” Video from Ch 11 KHOU “No school, No license”

13. Every child has a choice to build their education. The size of their knowledge is unlimited, some pieces are easy, others are hard to see or fit, but together they produce one complete product.

14. The pieces that make up the puzzle? Through laws (the border/frame): President State government Local government Through support and guidance (the inside pieces): Educators Parents/Family Peers, social groups Mentors Drop out

15. The best prevention is through early interventions. Alternative Programs Support from peers and teachers Family communication Improve access for struggling students Identify warnings in the early stages Be proactive before reactive

16. Example Interventions at Conroe ISD: CHOOSE: allows students to earn credits for courses online or after school while enrolled in regular classes Hawke Alternative: high school program for students with pregnancy, academic issues, and social concerns among a variety of other challenges Jr High mentoring: community members mentor students all the way through their graduation from high school

17. Bibliography Bier, Charles. (2010, April 12). Dropout Prevention, recovery programs assist CISD students. Your Houston News. Retrieved from http://www.yourhoustonnews.com Chapman, C. (2010, December, 10). Trends in High School Dropout and completion rates in the United States from 1972-2008. NCES 2011012. Retrieved from http://www.nces.ed/gov Scharrer, Gary. (2007, November 7). Report points to ‘dropout factories’. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved from http://www.chron.com Zubwoski, Courtney. (2010, July 15). Texas governor to teen dropouts: No school, no driver’s license. KHOU News. Retrieved from http://khou.com