"Potential" Dropout Student Intervention and Prevention Professional Development Program

1. "Potential" Dropout Student Intervention and Prevention Professional Development Program

2. The District has provided a potential student dropout report to all secondary schools. We want to be able to clear all "potential dropout students' by • Identifying if they have enrolled in another school • Locating the "potential dropout student" and counseling them into a diploma track program

3. Spring Dropout Report Treat this year's Spring Dropout Report with the same intensity as we address potential student dropouts in the fall.

4. The deadline for reporting will be May 1. 2006. • We will be publishing the new reports on May 19th so that schools and local districts can monitor progress.

5. Students may be cleared from the dropout list if the school has documentation on file of the following: • Graduated, received GED or CHSPE • Enrolled in another school and is attending school • Enrolled in early college admission • Moved to another country • Enrolled in juvenile hall, camp, or hospital school • School verified that the student will enroll late (extended family vacation, seasonal work) • Has parent assurance letter on file Reference Guide 2415 Spring, 2006

6. Procedural steps to address “potential" student dropouts NCES Dropout Definition • Student did not begin the 2005-06 school year attending the next grade (7-12) in the school to which he/she was assigned or at which he/she had pre-registered and/or was expected to enroll/attend by norm day, 2006. • Student was enrolled in grade 7-12 for part of the 2005-06 year, didn't complete the year 2005-06, and has not returned to school as of norm day, 2006.

7. Copy of Parent Assurance Letter.

8. Procedures for documenting ·potential" dropout students status • "Potential" No Show Dropout List - tan list • "Leaver" Dropout List • "No Show Matriculating" Dropout List - green list).

9. Strategies to address "potential" dropout students • Establish a strategy to address students on potential student dropout lists assigning responsibilities to counselors and deans or elicit from participants a process that would ensure individual staff accountabilities for locating students. • Review magnet, PWT and charter school enrollment of students • Check possible summer graduation or attainment of a GED or CHSPE certificate for 12th grade "No Shows.

10. Strategies to address "potential" dropout students (Cont.) • Compare with the assistance of the credit clerk, the list of "no show” students with those students whose records have been requested • For newly entering students who are "no shows·, check with the feeder school credit clerk for students whose records have been requested.

11. Strategies to address "potential" dropout students (Cont.) • Send "no show” letters in appropriate languages, to parents and/or students who cannot be reached by telephone. • Utilizing PSA, visit student's residence to determine student's current location • Use the school reverse directory to locate other students who may know the location of the absent student

12. Strategies to address "potential" dropout students (Cont.) • Utilize the school's automatic dialer to call "potential· dropout students • Review cumulative record, emergency card and health record to identify location and/or potential contacts of "potential" dropout student. • Follow appropriate attendance accounting procedures when student has been identified as having enrolled in another school and/or diploma track program.

13. Counseling potential dropout students There are a wide range of reasons that students no longer attend the comprehensive school. The reasons may include: Need for employment Teen pregnancy Lack of credits achieved in the comprehensive high school Substance abuse Dislike for the comprehensive school program

14. Regardless of the reason for a student's decision, we have a responsibility to assist students in understanding the consequences of his or her decision and the options they have.

15. We also have a responsibility to facilitate student enrollment in those options which may include: • Continuation high school • Independent study • Adult school • Los Angeles Virtual Academy (LAVA)

16. Accountabilities • Review benchmarks for implementing the Potential Student Dropout Intervention and Prevention Program • Ensure that a coordinated effort has been made to locate and counsel all "potential" dropout students.

17. Accountabilities (Cont) • That LAUSD policies and procedures for effective attendance and counseling office procedures are in place and adhered to • That there is a process for monitoring student achievement and that counseling services are provided at the first sign of "at-risk" behavior.

18. Accountabilities (Cont) • That parents are continually informed of student progress and engaged at the first sign of student "at-risk" behavior. Parents need to be part of' the discussion regarding student behavior and potential options and pathways to graduation. • Potential dropout report is due May 1, 2006- to School Information Branch, Beaudry Building, 21st Floor. • Updated dropout report is provided to Local District Superintendents on May 19, 2006