4107 -DROPOUT PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION
Philosophy
A serious dropout problem exists both nationally and in the Durham community. It is not confined to the high school population, but exists among our younger population in middle schools as well. The Durham Public Schools is concerned about the number of students who choose to leave school and is committed to developing ways to help young people stay in school and provide them with the support they need to be successful. When students drop out of school, there is interference not only with their academic and co-curricular activities, but also with their emotional, physical, mental, and social development, and the ability to live a productive life. There is also an impact on the entire Durham community when students drop out of school.
The Durham Public Schools recognizes that a person's lack of a sound education, at a minimum a high school education, can lead to the inability to find suitable employment and to achieve at his/her highest potential. The Durham Public Schools accepts its shared role with the community in addressing this problem by developing a dropout prevention plan and supporting student services and referral programs. These programs can restore to students at risk of dropping out of school the ability to achieve at their highest potential. 4107.1 Prevention It is the goal of the Durham Public Schools to create a caring, supportive and challenging environment for students at risk of dropping out of school and in support of this goal the Durham Public Schools shall implement a Strategic Dropout Prevention Plan. The Durham Public Schools will support a strong continuum of care and institute a comprehensive K-12 curriculum for early intervention. The Plan will identify, at a minimum, four objectives as means to reduce the number of students who drop out of school each year: (1) ensure every graduate has marketable skills; (2) establish norms, expectations, and rules for all students; (3) create a more caring, supportive environment for all students; and (4) provide opportunities for students to give back to peers and the community. The Plan will outline specific strategies, activities, resources and evaluation measures for each of these goals and serve as a guide for the district's comprehensive effort in dropout prevention. Each secondary school is expected to include strategies for decreasing dropouts in its School Improvement Plan. These strategies should include innovative methods for combating absenteeism and providing additional support for students who may be at risk of dropping out of school.
Students at risk of dropping out and their families are expected to seek help with problems relative to the students' behavior and academic shortcomings.
The purpose of this policy is to recognize the Durham Public Schools' obligation to reduce its dropout rates and to address the problems in a supportive atmosphere. 4107.2 Intervention and Support Services Appropriate support services will be required for students at risk of dropping out of school.
4107.3 Referral The Superintendent shall cause all students who drop out of school to be referred to appropriate services as they may be available in the school system, the Durham community, the community college system, or other referral sources.
Legal Reference: G.S.115C-47(32)
Adopted Effective: July 1, 1999
