Tools to keep kids in school
Fall 2009
Many resources about research and programs designed to prevent students from dropping out of school are available. Here are just a few:
America’s Promise Alliance
From the Web site: “Founded in 1997 with General Colin Powell as chairman and chaired today by [his wife] Alma Powell, America’s Promise Alliance is a cross-sector partnership of more than 300 corporations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups that are passionate about improving lives and changing outcomes for children. We have made a top priority of ensuring that all young people graduate from high school ready for college, work and life. Our work involves raising awareness, encouraging action and engaging in advocacy to provide children the key supports we call the Five Promises: Caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education and opportunities to help others.”
Advancement Via Individual Determination
Generally seen as a college preparatory program for economically disadvantaged and underachieving students, AVID also offers an effective approach to keeping students from dropping out of school by engaging them with rigorous curricula and giving them the support they need to succeed. Established in 1980 with a single class of 32 students in the San Diego Unified School District, AVID now reaches 40 states and 15 foreign countries. In California, the state Department of Education administers several million dollars of AVID grant programs that support regional coordination and technical assistance, professional development, and site resources at both middle and high schools.
California Dropout Research Project
From the Web site: “The California Dropout Research Project [at the University of California, Santa Barbara,] was established in 2006 to synthesize existing research and undertake new research to inform policymakers, educators and the general public about the nature of the dropout crisis in California and to help the state develop a meaningful policy agenda to address the problem.”
—Marsha Boutelle