Dropout Prevention Program

Dropout Prevention Programs

Our main focus areas include Prevention, Intervention, Recovery and Resiliency.

• Prevention – Anticipation and recognition of students’ needs to empower them to be successful learners
• Intervention – Adaptations to traditional practices which ensure students continue their education
• Recovery – Returning students to academic environments that are supportive to their needs
• Resiliency – The capacity to spring back, rebound and successfully adapt in the face of adversity

VIA

A student’s perception of their educational environment influences positive decision making. Dropout Prevention Specialists attempt to build relationships with students and their families using VIA – from the Spanish word meaning “the path” or “the way”. 

• Visibility – Using passing periods, lunch and school sponsored events to be visible to students
• Interaction  – Developing a rapport with teachers, parents, support staff and especially the students
• Accountability  – Keeping your word; following through; never making unrealistic promises to students

Step By Step

Step By Step is a program developed to facilitate eighth grade students transition into high school. The program began in 2008 and morphed into an interactive presentation addressing three main components:

1. Staying in school through graduation
2. How credits are tied to grades and attendance
3. A peek into the future

Eighth grade students have the opportunity to meet the Dropout Prevention Specialist from their soon to be high school, giving them that “one caring adult” prior to enrollment.

Professional Development Opportunities

The Dropout Prevention Staff offers six professional development options for schools to choose from. Topics include:

• Hidden Language Rules: Teaches adults to recognize when students do not have the proper language skills to communicate their needs and how to help students gain the tools required to communicate in a professional setting
• Bridging the Gap: Demonstrates how to identify students dealing with life struggles and how to provide support by empowering not enabling students.
• Against School: Takes a proactive look at schools today, challenging the institutional atmosphere we expect students to flourish in on an academic and social level.
• WELCOME: A “Feng shei” for schools. WELCOME is based on the Inviting School Success series by Purkey and Novak and looks at uninviting behaviors and how by making simple environmental and social changes, schools become more welcoming to students and their families.
• What is Dropout Prevention? An in depth look at TUSD’s Dropout Prevention Program. Each session is tailor-made for the requesting site and includes effective dropout prevention strategies, explores the reasons why students leave school, at what age they “check-out” and site-specific data.
• Intercultural Proficiency: Overview of how the culture of each student affects what the student perceives. Looks at the natural formation of sub-cultures and their role in the make-up of each school's personality.