Special Report
Special Report

Second Chances

Turning Dropouts Into Graduates
June 6, 2013
  • Education A Difficult Path
    By high school, it can be easy for those risk factors to create a self-feeding cycle. Walk a few steps in the shoes of one at-risk high school freshman, and try to find the path through to a diploma.
    Sarah D. Sparks, June 6, 2013
    College & Workforce Readiness Saving Our Dropouts
    An interactive timeline looking at federal, regional, and local efforts to establish dropout-intervention programs to help keep students in school.
    Sarah D. Sparks, June 6, 2013
    BRIC ARCHIVE
    College & Workforce Readiness Dropout Recovery Takes Shape Nationwide
    Efforts to bring back students who have given up on a diploma vary from state to state.
    Sarah D. Sparks, May 31, 2013
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    3 min read
    Student Well-Being Many States Put Age Limits on Schools' Dropout-Recovery Services
    Newly updated data show that laws in 27 states require free schooling for students up to age 21, while two states cut off students' route to a diploma at 19.
    Sterling C. Lloyd, May 31, 2013
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    3 min read
    College & Workforce Readiness New GED Tests Stir Concerns, Draw Competitors
    Computer tests, career-readiness scores, more rigor, and a higher price are among the changes to the alternative program for receiving a high school credential.
    Caralee J. Adams, May 31, 2013
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    10 min read
    Students are engaged in a science class at CCA Academy, a Chicago charter school that specializes in serving dropouts and students at risk of dropping out. Through the school's aquaponics program, in which fish and plants are raised together, students are exposed to hands-on science learning and a possible career path.
    Students are engaged in a science class at CCA Academy, a Chicago charter school that specializes in serving dropouts and students at risk of dropping out. Through the school's aquaponics program, in which fish and plants are raised together, students are exposed to hands-on science learning and a possible career path.
    Philip Scott Andrews for Education Week
    School & District Management Chicago Charter Network Specializes in Dropouts
    The 22 different Youth Connection Charter Schools specialize in giving students second chances.
    Lesli A. Maxwell, May 31, 2013
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    9 min read
    Devonte Perry-McCullum, center, works on a photography assignment during his science class at Innovations High School, a reflection of the school’s emphasis on integrating the arts into core academic subjects. Innovations was the Chicago student's third try at high school. Now firmly back on track, Perry-McCullum was accepted to six of the seven colleges to which he applied this school year.
    Devonte Perry-McCullum, center, works on a photography assignment during his science class at Innovations High School, a reflection of the school’s emphasis on integrating the arts into core academic subjects. Innovations was the Chicago student's third try at high school. Now firmly back on track, Perry-McCullum was accepted to six of the seven colleges to which he applied this school year.
    Philip Scott Andrews for Education Week
    College & Workforce Readiness Reluctant Student Finds a Focus in Chicago Charter
    A sound-engineering class at Youth Connection's Innovations High School helped hook Devonte Perry McCullum on education.
    Lesli A. Maxwell, May 31, 2013
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    2 min read
    Kimberly Mitchell, who is set to graduate this month from CCA Academy, builds a water filter during a science class at the school. Mitchell says CCA's science program helped her discover a deep interest in environmental science.
    Kimberly Mitchell, who is set to graduate this month from CCA Academy, builds a water filter during a science class at the school. Mitchell says CCA's science program helped her discover a deep interest in environmental science.
    Philip Scott Andrews for Education Week
    School & District Management Ex-Honor-Roll Student Reconnects at Chicago Charter
    Caring teachers, hands-on work, and a safe environment persuaded Kimberly Mitchell to take another go at high school.
    Lesli A. Maxwell, May 31, 2013
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    2 min read
    Andrew Delgado, a student at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, discusses a geometry problem with one of his teachers. The graduating senior has already enrolled at Malcolm X Community College in Chicago, where he will work toward an associate degree in criminal justice.
    Andrew Delgado, a student at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, discusses a geometry problem with one of his teachers. The graduating senior has already enrolled at Malcolm X Community College in Chicago, where he will work toward an associate degree in criminal justice.
    Philip Scott Andrews for Education Week
    College & Workforce Readiness Chicago Teen Goes From Dropout to Top Student
    Andrew Delgado got his second chance at a charter school for students who have already left school or are likely to.
    Lesli A. Maxwell, May 31, 2013
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    2 min read
    College & Workforce Readiness Many Dropouts Try—and Fail—to Return to School
    Getting the students past the schoolhouse door may be the easy part. Keeping them long enough to get a diploma is another thing entirely, say experts and educators.
    Sarah D. Sparks, May 31, 2013
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    6 min read
    College & Workforce Readiness Online Providers Find a Market in Dropout Recovery
    But some educators and experts fear the rapid growth could lead to programs that offer uneven academic rigor and insufficient social and emotional support for this vulnerable group of returning students.
    Sarah D. Sparks, May 31, 2013
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    8 min read
    BRIC ARCHIVE
    College & Workforce Readiness Reasons to Drop Out—and to Stay
    Dropouts give a common array of reasons for leaving high school early, and targeted programs have been created in response.
    May 31, 2013
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    14 min read
    Education Methodology
    How does the EPE Research Center calculate graduation rates?
    May 31, 2013
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    2 min read
    Education Sources and Notes
    DEFINING READINESS
    College-readiness definition: The state has formal expectations for what students will need to know and be able to do in order to be admitted to state's two-year and/or four-year institutions and enroll in credit-bearing courses. State approaches to defining college readiness have been classified into the following categories: courses, skills, standards, and tests. Some states' definitions may include elements that do not fall into categories established for this analysis. EPE Research Center annual state policy survey (2012-13 school year), 2012.
    May 31, 2013
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    3 min read
    Dericka Ingram, 19, has studied for the past year at the Boston Re-Engagement Center. Ingram left her district high school after a series of moves and difficulty transferring credits. She found the Boston center online and has made up 16 credits.
    Dericka Ingram, 19, has studied for the past year at the Boston Re-Engagement Center. Ingram left her district high school after a series of moves and difficulty transferring credits. She found the Boston center online and has made up 16 credits.
    M. Scott Brauer for Education Week
    College & Workforce Readiness A 'Neglected' Population Gets Another Chance at a Diploma
    Around the country, schools and community groups are moving beyond dropout prevention to recover the students who have already left.
    Sarah D. Sparks, May 31, 2013
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    10 min read
    College & Workforce Readiness Nation's Graduation Rate Nears a Milestone
    At nearly 75 percent, the high school graduation rate for the class of 2010 is the highest since the 1970s, according to the latest analysis from the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center.
    Christopher B. Swanson & Sterling C. Lloyd, May 31, 2013
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    4 min read
    Equity & Diversity As Graduation Rates Rise, Focus Shifts to Dropouts
    The good news is that the U.S. graduation rate is nearing historic highs; the bad news is too many are left behind.
    The Editors, May 31, 2013
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    2 min read
    Education Dropout Epicenters
    A geographical look at the twenty-five school districts that will collectively produce nearly 180,000 nongraduates for the class of 2013—about 18 percent of the nation's total.
    Doris Nhan & Chienyi Cheri Hung, May 31, 2013
    Education Graduation Rate Trends 1999-2000 to 2009-2010
    An interactive map that allows users to explore changes in state graduation rates over the past decade.
    Chienyi Cheri Hung, May 31, 2013