YTTF-Rennie Center Forum: Signs That Matter - Using Early Indicators to Lower the Dropout Rate

This event takes place on April 2 from 8:30-10:30 am at the Omni Park House at 60 School Street. This forum will feature groundbreaking early indicator research from Chicago, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. The researchers' presentations will be followed by a panel addressing local and state policy issues connected with using the indicators for planning and intervention. Please RSVP at http://www.renniecenter.org/events_docs/event.html?id=42

Signs that Matter: Using Early Indicators to Lower the Dropout Rate

Wednesday, April 2, 2008
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Omni Parker House Hotel
Boston, MA

Presented by the:
Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
Youth Transitions Task Force
Massachusetts Department of Education
Jobs for the Future

Join us as we discuss the collection and use of dropout indicators in several districts, and analyze the implications for utilizing such models in Massachusetts.

Session Overview

Massachusetts, like other states across the nation, is struggling with an unacceptable four-year graduation rate. Nearly one in five students does not graduate with a high school diploma in four years. These rates are even more alarming in urban centers, where nearly 50% of students do not graduate from high school. Despite its reputation as a high-performing state, many students in Massachusetts are not getting the support they need to reach their fullest potential.

There was once a time when a high school dropout could earn enough to survive – even to own a home and support a family. But today the current average salary for those without a high school diploma is only moderately higher than the federal poverty level. In today’s economic environment, allowing students to drop out is the equivalent of allowing students to commit economic suicide. Many of these students send out warning signals for years before they actually leave school – signals like poor attendance, disruptive behavior and low credit accumulation rates. If we are to prevent students from dropping out, a critical first step is identifying these early indicators and using them to determine the types of supports needed to keep students in school.

At this event, national experts in the collection and analysis of high school dropout indicators in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia will share progress, successes and challenges from their work. Following the research presentation, a panel will discuss policy implications for developing early warning systems.

Research Presentation
Identifying the Problem: Early Indicators

Lisa Cloitre, Director, Education Center of Excellence at the Parthenon Group

John Easton, Executive Director, Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago

Ruth Curran Neild, Research Scientist, Johns Hopkins University

Jennifer Amigone, Research Director, Boston Plan for Excellence

Policy Panel
Policy Implications for Developing Systems of Early Indicators

Senator Edward Augustus, Vice-Chair, Joint Committee on Education, Massachusetts State Legislature

Elizabeth Reilinger, Chair, Boston School Committee

Basan Nembirkow, Superintendent, Brockton Public Schools (invited)

Richard Stutman, President, Boston Teachers Union

Robert Curtin, Information Services, Department of Education

Moderator
Paul Reville, President, Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy; Director, Education Policy and Management Program and Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education; Chair, Massachusetts Board of Education

REGISTRATION
Call the Rennie Center reservation line at 617-354-0002, ext. 13 or register online by clicking here and using our online form. Registration is free, however space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

About the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy
The Rennie Center's mission is to develop a public agenda that informs and promotes significant improvement of public education in Massachusetts. Our work is motivated by a vision of an education system that creates the opportunity to educate every child to be successful in life, citizenship, employment and life-long learning. Applying nonpartisan, independent research, and civic engagement, the Center is creating a civil space to foster thoughtful public discourse to inform and shape effective policy.

About the Youth Transitions Task Force
The Youth Transitions Task Force was convened by Mayor Thomas M. Menino in October of 2004 to address the dropout crisis facing Boston and other urban districts throughout the country. Staffed by the Boston Private Industry Council, the Task Force includes about fifty representatives from the Boston Public Schools, community-based organizations, city departments and state agencies. The Task Force meets monthly to coordinate activities, including research, mobilization for change, new practices and policy recommendations. Our research and recommendations are published in Too Big To Be Seen, The Dropout Crisis in Boston and America, and the Social and Fiscal Consequences of Dropping Out. The Task Force is currently focused on identifying solutions to the problem.

About the Massachusetts Department of Education
The Department of Education is charged with the responsibility of ensuring improved teaching and learning in all of the Commonwealth's public schools. The Department works to improve the quality of the public education system so that students are adequately prepared for higher education, rewarding employment, continued education, and responsible citizenship. We carry out our mission in partnership with Massachusetts school districts and other organizations that provide educational programs and services. Students, parents, teachers and other educators, elected officials, business and community leaders, and the public all are stakeholders in the work of the Department to improve schools and raise student achievement.

About Jobs for the Future
Jobs for the Future believes that all young people should have a quality high school and postsecondary education, and that all adults should have the skills needed to hold jobs that pay enough to support a family. As a nonprofit research, consulting, and advocacy organization, JFF works to strengthen our society by creating educational and economic opportunity for those who need it most. Through partnerships with states and communities, national and local foundations, and other organizations, JFF accelerates opportunities for people to advance in education and careers through research, analysis, and policy development; practical, on-the-ground projects; and advocacy, communications, and peer learning.

** Update: To view the research presentations from this event, please visit www.renniecenter.org/events_docs/event.html?id=42.  This forum was the first in a series focusing on dropout prevention, intervention and recovery in Massachusetts.