Journalist: Rebecca Holmes
Date: May 5, 2008
Summary: This article reports the efforts of several school districts to address the problem of student dropouts. All public schools throughout the state of Mississippi are required to make dropout prevention a priority following Legislation that was passed requiring each school district in the state to develop a plan for addressing dropouts. School boards will need to approve proposals before the end of the school year. One effort will add an extra 30 minutes to the school day beginning the next school year. Another will also improve English, math and social skills for those students in grades 9 and 10, and another will provide GED programs, social work services, career counselors, after school programs and behavior-intervention programs.
Relevance: School social workers often provide services to students who are risk of dropping out of school. Information about effective programs that assist this population can be helpful.
Questions:
1. When do risk factors for school drop usually begin?
2. When do students usually drop out of school?
3. What are some of the plans that school districts will propose to address dropouts?
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