Avoid the Detour: Keep Students Engaged in School

1. Avoid the Detour: Keep Students Engaged in School By Patrick Carlin, Andrew Meister, and Dan Scannell

2. In this session we will share… • the cost of dropping out statistics • strategies for dropout prevention • relationship based strategies for creating a positive classroom climate

3. Overcoming Barriers • Getting Over the Wall

4. Not So Fun Facts…

5. U.S. Statistics • 1.3 million students dropped out last year • 7,150 students every day • 1 student every 25 seconds

7. The Costs of Dropping Out

9. Cost of Dropping Out • Dropouts earn 33 cents for every dollar a college graduate earns. • Dropouts earn 66 cents for every dollar a high school graduate earns • Our 30% first-year dropout rate cost taxpayers $9.1 billion between 2003-2007

10. Graduation Predictors What are the two biggest indicators for predicting whether a student will graduate?

11. Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention • School and Community Perspective • Systemic Renewal, School-community collaboration, safe learning environment • Early Interventions • Family Engagement, EC education, literacy programs • Basic Core Strategies • Mentoring/Tutoring, service learning, alternative learning, after-school opportunities • Making the Most of Instruction • PD, active learning, technology, ind. Instruction, CTE

12. Waterloo Students Say…. • Student Video

13. 7 Relationship-Based Strategies That Can Create A Positive Learning Environment

14. Be The CEO/LEADER • Send the message that you are in control • This message should not convey an overbearing, authoritarian, inflexible approach. • Communicate to the students your absolutes • Review and practice expectations • Don’t assume students know what you want from them

15. Embrace Their Individuality • Student profile forms • Ask about hobbies, family, goals, dreams, talents, interests, likes and dislikes, etc.

16. Create a Community Within the Classroom • Pair up students and give them three minutes to find as many similarities between themselves as possible. • such as love baseball, play the guitar, been to Canada, have two brothers. • Then combine pairs so four people are trying to find similarities in three minutes. Pair up • What have you done in your classrooms?

17. Let Them Get to Know a Part of You • Allow questions • Share hobbies, favorite sports teams, pets, talents, books, movies, and music • Don’t be afraid to have FUN with your students

18. Learn All Students’ Names Within 48 Hours

19. Examine and Improve Nonverbal Communication • How are you presenting yourself? • Do you smile at your students?

20. Treat All Student With Dignity and Respect at All Times

21. The Importance of Relationship Building According to Tara Brown • Positive relationships truly have the ability and the power to unleash untapped potential in our students. While many teachers may not think they have the time to spend building relationships, I suggest that we don't have the time not to. Relationships and instruction are not an either–or proposition, but are rather an incredible combination. Research tells us this combination will increase engagement, motivation, test scores, and grade point averages while decreasing absenteeism, dropout rates, and discipline issues. • Begin to unleash the power of positive relationships in your classroom.

22. RESOURCES

23. QUESTIONS

24. CONTACT INFORMATION • Patrick Carlin • carlinp@waterlooschools.org • 319-404-6152 • Andrew Meister • meistera@waterlooschools.org • 319-404-6153 • Dan Scannell • scannelld@waterlooschools.org • 319-404-6154

25. Closing • Every Student Needs a Champion

26. Be A Champion

27. Bibliography • Brown, T. “the power of positive relationships.” The Magazine of Middle Level Education, Aug. 2010, volume 14, number 1, pages 8-10 • COST OF DROPPING OUT • Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention • www.dropoutprevention.org/effective-strategies • 6/1/13