“Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.”
— Confucius

Stemming the Dropout Tide

Dropout Prevention Must Start in Middle School - The Arizona Republic, 2/6/08

That's the opinion of Gregory Hickman, director of Arizona State University's Rodel Community Scholars program, reacting to a study recently completed by his group and due to appear in the Journal of Education Research. Titled "The Differential Developmental Trajectories of High School Dropouts and Graduates," the study examines the behavioral characteristics of dropouts, tracked from kindergarten through high school. Currently, most dropout prevention is targeted to high school students, which is too late. "This line of thought assumes children exist in an 'educational vacuum' from kindergarten through eighth grade," Hickman said. The study reveals that attendance is a key indicator, with dropouts missing an average of 124 days of school by eighth grade. Click here for more information on the study and the ASU Rodel Community Scholars program.

High Dropout Rate in North Carolina Brings Review of Minimum Dropout Age – The News and Observer (NC), 2/8/08

Educators in North Carolina are appealing to the General Assembly to raise the dropout age to 18, hoping to stem the highest dropout rate in seven years. Two new committees formed by the General Assembly are focusing on the dropout problem, including a 15-member committee of business and education leaders that last month awarded $7 million in dropout prevention grants. Another area under review by the General Assembly is the connection between suspensions and dropping out.

Success Highways in the News

Genesis High School Gets a Visit from Fox TV – 1/31/08

In the 2/6/08 issue of Success Highways News, an article discussed Genesis’ commitment to improving retention and increasing graduation rates. Local media picked up on the story, and Fox TV decided to visit Genesis and speak to students and staff about the program. Click here for the link to the short clip covering Success Highways and its impact at Genesis, and the school’s hopes for its students.

Forthcoming Title of Interest

Improving student retention in higher education: the role of teaching and learning. Crosling, Glenda, Liz Thomas, and Margaret Heagney, eds. Routledge 2008. ISBN: 978-0-415-39921-0.

Conference Calendar

National AfterSchool Association Conference, March 12–14, 2008 – Fort Lauderdale, FL

The National AfterSchool Association conference is an important professional development experience for afterschool professionals and educators. The NAA conference gives educators the opportunity to connect with colleagues and learn about the latest tools and resources needed to offer children the highest quality afterschool and summer programs. Soledad O’Brien from CNN’s Special Investigations Unit is a featured keynote speaker.

Have news you’d like to share? E-mail us at NewsEditor@ScholarCentric.com

About this Newsletter

Success Highways News is brought to you by ScholarCentric, publisher of Success Highways, a dropout prevention program for students in grades 7-9. You can reach us at info@scholarcentric.com, visit our Web site at http://www.scholarcentric.com, or call us at our toll free number 800-995-8779.

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