NC Schools Dropout Data School Suspensions and Dropouts

NC Schools Dropout Data School Suspensions and Dropouts In North Carolina Charlotte Hughes Ken Gattis Program Monitoring & Support Division NC Department of Public Instruction

Short-Term Suspensions 2004 -05 to 2007 -08 Grades 9 -12

Long-Term Suspensions 2004 -05 to 2007 -08 Grades 9 -12

Dropouts 2004 -05 to 2007 -08 Grades 9 -12

Highest and Lowest 5 -Year Average Short-Term Suspension (STS) Rates Among School Districts

Highest and Lowest 5 -Year Average Long-Term Suspension (LTS) Rates Among School Districts

Highest and Lowest 5 -Year Average Dropout Rates Among School Districts

5 -Year Average Dropout Rates Related to High/Low LTS or STS Rates

5 -Year Average Rates Between School Districts

Reasons for Suspensions • Short-term suspensions reported 2007 -08 : 1. Disruptive Behavior 2. Fighting 3. Insubordination • Long-term suspensions reported 2007 -08: 1. Possession of an Illegal Substance 2. Possession of a Weapon 3. Disruptive Behavior (from NC Suspension Report Data)

Reasons for High School Dropouts • Top three reasons reported in 2007 -08: 1. Attendance problems (10, 766) 2. Enrollment in a Community College (3, 684) 3. Academic problems (1, 623) • Other reasons reported in 2007 -08: – Failure to return after a long-term suspension (770) – Discipline problems (511) – Incarcerated in an adult facility (288) (from NC Dropout Report Data)

Significant At-Risk Factors • Attendance • Behavior • Academics – Math and Reading • School Retention

Significant At-Risk Factors • Attendance 66% accuracy by third grade of potential dropouts (Barrington & Hendricks, 1989) 6 th graders who do not attend school regularly -10% chance of graduating on time; 20% chance of graduating a year late (Balfanz, 2006) • Behavior and Coping Skills 1 st graders who were rated highly aggressive (Ensminger & Slusarcick, 1992) 17% on-time graduation rate - middle school students with poor attendance (Balfanz, 2006)

Significant At-Risk Factors • Academics – Reading and Math Reading: 2 -years behind - 8% chance of catching up (Dr. George Batshe, 2010) Middle school -16% on-time graduation rate (Balfanz, 2006) Math: Middle school – 21% on-time graduation rate ( Balfanz, 2006) • Retention K-4 grades – 5 x more likely to drop out (Kaufman & Bradby, 1992) Middle School – retained one year – 11 x more likely to drop out of high school (Balfanz, 2006) retained two years – 90% risk of dropping out of high school (Balfanz, 2006) (

Implications of Suspension/Dropout Data Trends • Current resource focus at the high school level • Connection to elementary and middle schools

Reducing Suspensions and Dropouts • • 9 th Grade Academies Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) Program School Teams working with most at-risk students Finding alternatives for at-risk students - Alternative Schools / Alternative Learning Programs - Credit Recovery Programs with scheduling flexibility - NC Virtual High School - Alternative Diplomas