How Can We Help? Understanding Dropout Prevention Programs

As a society, we do not want students to drop out. Dropping out is a signal that a young person has not succeeded in school and may not succeed in adult life. But can dropping out be reversed or prevented?

Researchers from Mathematica analyzed the second phase of the U.S. Department of Education’s School Dropout Demonstration Assistance Program (SDDAP), which operated from 1991 to 1996. The evaluation studied two general program approaches to dropout prevention. Restructuring programs focused on changing whole schools with dropout-prone populations. Targeted programs operated as smaller-scale programs within schools or community organizations and enrolled students identified as at risk of dropping out. Some targeted programs focused on preparing students for the General Educational Development (GED) test, and researchers also explored aspects of the decision by some students to pursue a GED, instead of a high school diploma. All programs in the study used counseling to help students overcome personal, family, and social barriers and problems that interfered with their ability to go to school and do well. Programs also tried to create smaller and more personal settings which meant that, in general, more money was spent on students in these programs.

Overall, results show that some programs were effective but there was great diversity in programs and outcomes. However, results also point to a need to explore more individualized diagnostics and better predictors of who will drop out. Researchers found that risk factors commonly used by dropout-prevention programs to identify likely dropouts often do not predict accurately which students will drop out, which can undermine program effectiveness. They also looked at whether school performance and other factors can be used to identify girls at risk of teenage parenthood, noting that frequent absenteeism is the most important predictors.

Reports from the study include a policy brief, a synthesis report on the results of the evaluation, and five other reports. You can view them online or order copies from Jackie Allen, (609) 275-2350.

Back to Top