MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

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MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

• DROPOUT PREVENTION PLAN

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Office of Dropout Prevention

• Alternative Education
• Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement
• School Counseling

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PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
STATE LEVEL DROPOUT PREVENTION PLAN
DECREASE IN DROPOUT RATE
LOCAL DROPOUT PREVENTION PLAN
MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCOUNTABLITY STANDARD
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Goal 1

• To increase the graduation rate for cohort
  classes on a systemic basis to 85 by 2018-2019
  school year. Current rate 61.1
• Benchmark 1 - 2006-2007 (65)
• Benchmark 2 - 2008-2009 (69)
• Benchmark 3 - 2010-2011 (72)
• Benchmark 4 - 2012-2012 (76)
• Benchmark 5 - 2014-2015 (79)
• Benchmark 6 - 2016-2017 (82)
• Benchmark 7 - 2018-2019 (85)

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Goal 2

• By 2011-2012, initiatives instituted by the
  Office of Dropout Prevention will reduce the
  state dropout rate by 50. Current rate 26.6
• Benchmark 1 - 2007-2008 (25)
• Benchmark 2 - 2009-2010 (20)
• Benchmark 3 - 2011-2012 (13)

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Dropout Prevention Strategies

• School and Community Perspective
• Systemic Renewal
• School-Community Collaboration
• Safe Learning Environments
• Early Intervention
• Family Engagement
• Early Childhood Education
• Early Literacy Development

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Dropout Prevention Strategies

• Basic Core Strategies
• Mentoring / Tutoring
• Service-Learning
• Alternative Schooling
• After School Opportunities
• Making the Most of Education
• Professional Development
• Active Learning
• Educational Technology
• Individualized Instruction
• Career Technical Education

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Current Statewide/Federal Initiatives
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Current Statewide/Federal Initiatives
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Current Statewide/Federal Initiatives
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New Goals and Implementation Guidelines

• MDE will provide comparative data on
  Mississippis grade 9-12 cohort dropout rate,
  grades 8-12 cohort dropout rate, and grade 7-12
  cohort dropout rate.
• By February 1, 2007, local school districts shall
  submit to the MDE a list of names and areas of
  responsibility for proposed members of their
  district-level Dropout Prevention Local Action
  Team (LAT)

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The LAT is responsible for

• Identifying
• All students, including students with
  disabilities, at risk for academic failure
• Training resources for educators (i.e. cultural
  sensitivity, student diversity)
• Developing
• A plan that incorporates support programs for
  at-risk students and parent trainings that
  provide strategies to motivate children to stay
  in school
• Policy statements regarding district
  district-level dropout prevention strategies
• A plan for the coordination and cooperation among
  school officials, agencies, and programs involved
  in compulsory attendance issues
• Implementing
• Efforts in educational systems that address
  bullying and harassment
• Staff development training that incorporates
  instructional strategies for student motivation
  and participation in learning

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LAT Participants

• Local Civic/Governmental Agency Representatives
• Local Community Representatives
• School Related Staff

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By February 1, 2007, the MDEs Office of Dropout
Prevention will make available to local the
guidelines for a dropout prevention needs
assessment. The guidelines will

• Explore What Is
• Gather and Analyze Data
• Make Decisions for the Future

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Implementation Goals

• By April 2, 2007, MDE will make available to
  local school districts the framework and required
  components for the development of the Local
  District Plan.
• By June 2007, local districts will provide a
  draft Dropout Prevention Plan to MDE
• By September 17, 2007, local districts will
  submit the final Dropout Prevention Plan to MDE

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Critical Components

• Public Relations Dropout Prevention Awareness
  Campaign
• Evaluation of Current Initiatives
• Staff Refocusing Study
• Dropout/Credit Recovery Program
• Dropout Prevention Transition Plans
• Federal Programs/Funding Opportunities
• Research Opportunities

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Superintendents Strategies

• Increase the rigor of the curriculum and
  assessment system
• Increase the quality and quantity of teachers
• Increase the quality and quantity of
  administrators
• Create a culture in Mississippi that understands
  the value of education
• Redesign education for the 21st Century Workforce
  in Mississippi

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Contact us
Dr. Sheril Smith 601.359.5743 srsmith_at_mde.k12.ms.u
s Ms. Toni Kersh 601.359.3178 Tkersh_at_mde.k12.ms.u
s