U.S. School District Dropout Prevention and Recovery Practices Linked to Graduation Rate Performance

• In Event: Assessing the Influences of District and School-Level Factors on Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Why are some school districts moving the needle on graduation rates while others are struggling? We use multilevel modeling to generate district graduation rate predictions based on variables from the Common Core of Data, the American Community Survey, and Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. We then identify school districts that substantially over-perform or underperform these predictions. Finally, we compare the dropout prevention and recovery practices of these two sets of districts. We find that over-performing districts are more likely than under-performing districts to use address changes and homelessness as early warning indicators, to consistently use informational intervention strategies, and to pursue dropout recovery. These findings suggest avenues underperforming districts can take to improve their graduation rates.

Authors

• Daniel Princiotta, Johns Hopkins University

• Renee Ryberg, Child Trends