Recovering Dropoutsvia Outreach andPhysical or Virtual Reengagement CentersNational Dropout Prevention NetworkOctober 15, 2012

Emmanuel AllenGlen BiggsSteve DoboGail Forbes-HarrisAndrew O. Moore Deirdre Pilch

Reasons for Dropping Out

375

337

428

Academic Reasons

School Climate

Personal

Working Definition: Reengagement Center

• A staffed portal, operating at the citywide or school district level, that provides a one-stop assessment and referral service to re-connect educationally disconnected youth and young adults with a best fit option to complete a secondary credential.

• First point of contact – doorway back into schooling

• Central physical location, OR readily accessible via roving staff OR operates virtually

• May offer additional education or support services on site

• Intensive “caring adult” staffing

3NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES - INSTITUTE FOR YOUTH, EDUCATION, AND FAMILIES

Basis In Context, Practice, Research

• Identified need for system-level intervention focused on dropout recovery

• Typically, one element in multiple pathways to graduation strategy

• May serve as “pushing” edge of strategy (or pull); shows full “customer base”

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Reengagement Center Policy Platforms

Management Role

• School district

• Intermediary

• City government

• Community college

• Combinations of above

Funding Sources

• District per-pupil

• Child welfare

• Foundation

• Workforce Investment Act

• National Service - VISTAs

• High School Graduation Initiative (HSGI) via district/state

5

5

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Online “Drop In” Campaigns: Now in Denver, Boulder, & Aurora, Colorado

Reengagement Portal Functions: Recruitment, Intake, Assessment…

…Referral: Boulder Partners & Options

Post-referral in Boston: Case Management / Graduation Coaches

10

No

No

Recruitment-Letter- Connect Ed

Walk-In

Intake:

•Connect with student to identify goals

•Transcript review

•Enrollment paperwork

• School selection

Formal School

Assignment

Case Management: Check-in calls, workshops, school visits, encouragement of persistance

Graduation

BPS Engagement Options:

• Twilight school

• Summer school

• Online crdt rcovery •

• Classes at REC

• MCAS prep , testing

At this stage, connectingwith the student is key, so the REC staff person has a conversation to learn about personal circumstanceand aspirations.

Persistence in School

Referral From Another Agency

Will student attend HS, Alt Ed, GED or

Adult Ed? Transitionto School

Student drops out

Will student use BPS Engagement

Options?

StudentsRECOutside Agency BPS AdministrationExtended Enagement: ROIProposal

RE-ENGAGEMENT FLOW

Overall stick rate at end of school year: 69%

An

intermediary organization

A

collective impact organization

and more…

A convener for community

alignment of strategic

goals

A convener for community

alignment of existing resources

For developing local reengagement capacity, Alignment Nashville is….

Community Engagement Process: Committees

(design and implementation teams)

Community Engagement Process: Structure

Design & Implementation Teams

15

• (content, status, persons) about any committee or project quickly and easily

• Find calendar events and agenda• share documents• collaborate manage projects• assess results

Alignment Collaboration Portal

Reengagement Centers: Operational, Policy Issues to Consider

• Measuring effectiveness & impact: common indicators?

• Systematically updating lists of offerings and capacities of alternative schools, programs

• School calendar fit (mis-fit) // seat time

• Place within the emerging college/career readiness frame

• Advantages / drawbacks of co-locating additional services, including instruction

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES - INSTITUTE FOR YOUTH, EDUCATION, AND FAMILIES

10

NLC Institute for Youth, Education, and Families Dropout Re-Engagement Network

• Boston, MassachusettsDayton, OhioDenver, ColoradoNewark, New JerseyOmaha, NebraskaPhiladelphia, PAPortland, Oregon

• Several more cities: Reengagement Centers in development

• Network supported by C.S. Mott Foundation

• Quarterly topical phone calls + yearly meeting

• Share information via Dropbox

• Next convening: Dec. 4-6, Denver, Colorado

• Andrew Moore: moore@nlc.org for more information

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Destination: Diploma