Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention: Twelve Successful Strategies to Consider in a Comprehensive Dropout Prevention Program

Students leave school for many reasons. Pregnancy, family circumstances, economic necessities, substance abuse, lack of academic success, or disciplinary actions can influence a young person's decision to quit school. Just as there are a variety of causes behind a student's decision to drop out of school, a great many different strategies exist to prevent this event from occurring. In an effort to determine the most successful approaches within a comprehensive strategy, the National Dropout Prevention Center conducted an analysis in 1990 of current research and practices in more than 350 dropout prevention programs. The result is a synthesis of 12 strategies that have had the most positive impact on the dropout rate in communities across the nation. These 12 strategies are summarized in this document, focusing on expected benefits, program ideas to consider, organizations with additional resources, and additional readings and reference. The strategies are: (1) parental assistance and involvement; (2) quality early childhood education; (3) concentrated reading and writing programs; (4) individualized instruction; (5) utilization of instructional technologies; (6) mentoring and tutoring; (7) workforce readiness and career counseling; (8) summer enhancement programs; (9) flexible schedules and alternative programs; (10) staff development programs; (11) school based management; and (12) community and business collaboration (ERIC).