Learn – Serve – Achieve Service-Learning As a Tool for Dropout Prevention in California Schools Part One

1. Learn – Serve – AchieveService-Learning As a Tool for Dropout Prevention in California SchoolsPart One California Department of Education CalServe Initiative

2. The Cost of our Dropout Epidemic in America • Nearly one third of students fail to graduate with their class, nearly half of minorities • Dropouts: • earn about $1 million less over their lifetimes • are twice more likely to slip into poverty • are 8 times more likely to be in jail • are half as likely to vote and a fourth as likely to volunteer as college grads • create enormous economic costs to society 2

3. The Dropout Epidemic in California • Approximately 1/3 of California high school students do not graduate. • Dropouts will spend more time unemployed, on government assistance, or cycling in and out of prison. • Dropouts will contribute about $60,000 less in taxes over a lifetime. • California loses about $46 billion a year (jail, government assistance, increase in crime).

4. Jack O'Connell, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction "Implementing programs to ensure regular attendance and high school graduation of our highest-risk students is one of the most daunting challenges we face in public education.” CDE News Release, February 11, 2008

5. Why Students Drop OutThe Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts • There is no single reason why students drop out of high school. Respondents report different reasons: • A lack of connection to the school environment • A perception that school is boring • Feeling unmotivated • Academic challenges • The weight of real world events A report by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, March 2006

6. Why Students Drop OutThe Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts • 47% said a major reason for dropping out was that classes were not interesting • Bored and disengaged from high school • Spent time with people not interested in school • Evident among students who are motivated to work hard and have high GPAs. A report by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, March 2006

7. Why Students Drop OutThe Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts • 69% not motivated or inspired to work hard • 80% did one hour or less of homework each day • 2/3 would work harder if expectations were higher • 70% believe they could graduate if they tried harder A report by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, March 2006

8. Why Students Drop OutThe Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts • Personal Reasons Cited: • 32% needed to get a job to earn money • 26% became a parent • 22% had to care for a family member A report by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, March 2006

9. Why Students Drop OutThe Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts • Academic Challenges: • 35% said “failing in school” was a major factor • 3 out of 10 could not keep up with schoolwork • 43% missed too many days and could not catch up • 45% already “behind” when they entered high school • 32% required to repeat a grade before dropping out A report by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, March 2006

10. The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts • America’s Civic Health Index: Broken Engagement Two Reports Suggested the Potential for Service-Learning to Address issues of Dropout and Civic Engagement 10

11. Service-Learning Tops the List of Ways Schools Can Improve, According to Dropouts 81% - Opportunities for real-world learning (service- learning, internships) to make classroom more relevant 81% - Better teachers who keep classes interesting 75% - Smaller classes with more individual instruction 71% - Better communication between parents & school, get parents more involved 71% - Parents make sure their kids go to school every day 70% - Increase supervision at school: ensure students attend classes

12. SERVICE-LEARNING CAN ADDRESS EACH OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS Recommended Policies to Address Dropout • Improve teaching and curricula to make school more relevant and engaging and enhance the connections between school and work • Improve instruction and access to supports for struggling students • Build a school climate that fosters academics • Ensure strong adult-student relationships within the school

13. America’s Civic Health Index: Broken Engagement • Measured 40 indicators of civic health over last 30 years • Only 3% of Americans who attend club meetings and work on community projects are dropouts • Compared to college graduates, dropouts are: • 1/2 as likely to vote • 1/4 as likely to volunteer • 1/3 as likely to attend club meetings • 1/2 as likely to engage in public work in communities

14. 15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention School and Community Perspective • Systemic Renewal • School-Community Collaboration • Safe Learning Environments Early Interventions • Family Engagement • Early Childhood Education • Early Literacy Development National Dropout Prevention Center/Network College of Health, Education and Human Development at Clemson University

15. 15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention Basic Core Strategies • Mentoring/Tutoring • Service-Learning* • Alternative Schooling • After-School Opportunities Making the Most of Instruction • Professional Development • Active Learning • Educational Technology • Individualized Instruction • Career and Technical Education National Dropout Prevention Center/Network College of Health, Education and Human Development at Clemson University

16. 15 Effective Strategies for Dropout PreventionNational Dropout Prevention Center/Network *Service-Learning Service-learning connects meaningful community service experiences with academic learning. This teaching/learning method promotes personal and social growth, career development and civic responsibility and can be a powerful vehicle for effective school reform at all grade levels. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network College of Health, Education and Human Development at Clemson University