Recouping Our Losses: Recouping Our Losses:

Strategies for Dropout RecoveryStrategies for Dropout Recovery

Recouping Our Losses: Recouping Our Losses:

Strategies for Dropout RecoveryStrategies for Dropout Recovery

Matthew Klare

2009 Clemson University

Scary Stats!Scary Stats!

In 2006, an estimated 3.8 million youth ages 18-24 were neither employed nor in school. This represented 15% of all young adults. (It’s now up to 4.4 million…)

From 2000 to 2004, the ranks of these disconnected young adults grew by 700,000.

In 2006, an estimated 3.8 million youth ages 18-24 were neither employed nor in school. This represented 15% of all young adults. (It’s now up to 4.4 million…)

From 2000 to 2004, the ranks of these disconnected young adults grew by 700,000.

Annie E. Casey Foundation. Kids Count Data Book. Baltimore, MD. 2006.)

National Costs of DropoutNational Costs of Dropout

A dropout contributes $60,000 less in taxes than a graduate (Rouse, 2005)

Each dropout costs the nation $260,000 over a lifetime (Rouse, 2005)

At present rates, 12 million youth will drop out over the next decade... A loss of $3 trillion to the US (Alliance for Education, 2007)

What’s an Education Worth?What’s an Education Worth?Mean Annual Incomes in 2007, by EducationMean Annual Incomes in 2007, by Education

Less than HS education: $22,662HS diploma – no college: $33,609Some college: $39,106Associate’s degree: $41,447Bachelor’s degree: $59,365Master’s degree: $70,559Professional degree: $121,340Doctorate degree: $95,785

Less than HS education: $22,662HS diploma – no college: $33,609Some college: $39,106Associate’s degree: $41,447Bachelor’s degree: $59,365Master’s degree: $70,559Professional degree: $121,340Doctorate degree: $95,785(U.S. Census Bureau, 2007)

…and then there are the 4.4 million unemployed youth from the last slide!…and then there are the 4.4 million unemployed youth from the last slide!

General Outcomes for General Outcomes for DropoutsDropouts

Low projected earnings Lessened access to services Poor health High rates of crime and incarceration

75% of inmates in state prisons are dropouts; 59% of federal inmates (Harlow, 2003)

Dropouts are 3½ x more likely to serve time than grads! (Catterall, 2004)

Getting these youth back into an educational

program is critical!

Whatever It Takes:How Twelve Communities are

Reconnecting Out-of-School Youth

American Youth Policy Forum

2006

Characteristics of Effective Characteristics of Effective Prevention/Recovery Prevention/Recovery

ProgramsPrograms

Characteristics of Effective Characteristics of Effective Prevention/Recovery Prevention/Recovery

ProgramsPrograms

Open entry/open exit Flexible scheduling and year-round learning Teachers also act as coaches, facilitators, crew

leaders Real-world curriculum – often career oriented Opportunities to work for pay Clear behavioral expectations Extensive support services and caring adults Wide range of opportunities to reconnect

(Whatever It Takes, 2006)(Whatever It Takes, 2006)

Characteristics of Effective Characteristics of Effective ProgramsPrograms

Small personal learning environments (e.g., freshman academies, school within a school, career academies, etc.)

Structured environment with clear behavioral expectations

Personal support from caring adults

Critical Factors – from the Critical Factors – from the ResearchResearch

(Hayward, et al., 1995)(Hayward, et al., 1995)

Vocational ed that integrates academic education and that will lead to a good entry-level job or post secondary training program

A formal counseling component that includes career counseling, employability skills and life skills

(Hayward, et al., 1995)(Hayward, et al., 1995)

Critical Factors – from the Critical Factors – from the ResearchResearch

Most programs were in, or included an urban area (e.g., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Louisville, Dayton, Salt Lake City)

Some were county-based (e.g., Tucson/Pima County)

Some were district and community or agency partnerships (e.g., Portland, Austin, Camden)

Some were school-based (e.g., Trenton)

Program size varied from small to large-scale

Some of the ContextsSome of the Contexts

Issues Around Issues Around Reentry/Recovery EffortsReentry/Recovery Efforts

Reentry versus Recovery

Limited research has been done on what works in recovery programs.

We need more…

Consequently, there aren’t enough programs to meet the nation’s the needs. Again—We need more!

Jefferson County, Kentucky Jefferson County, Kentucky Public SchoolsPublic Schools

Marty BellMarty BellDeputy to SuperintendentDeputy to Superintendent

Jefferson County, Kentucky Jefferson County, Kentucky Public SchoolsPublic Schools

Marty BellMarty BellDeputy to SuperintendentDeputy to Superintendent