Abstract
Pilot programs that serve at-risk students have identified planning and management considerations that are unique to dropout prevention and are applicable to a variety of project designs. Dropout rates and other measures of success are elusive and must be standardized before a project begins. Staff selection, duty assignments, and work loads are different for at-risk educators; they are crucial to project success. Reduction in the true dropout rate impacts other measures of school effectiveness, and this impact must be anticipated. These conclusions are based on district-wide implementation of a multi-component pilot project under the U.S. Department of Education's Dropout Demonstration Assistance Program. Early consideration of this information by educators who plan and implement dropout prevention programs is essential for long-term project success.
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