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Findings
Colorado State University and Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Research Collaborative conducted a longitudinal study surveying dropouts at their initial time of dropout and three years later. Results indicate that:
Students who dropped out in high school were, by the third grade, already substantially behind in their language skills.
Dropouts with higher reading scores were more likely to obtain a GED or high school diploma, and those dropouts with higher math scores were more likely to obtain a diploma.
If a dropout associates with individuals who completed high school, then the dropout was more likely to obtain a GED.
If a dropout has friends who are attending college, then he/she was more likely to obtain a high school diploma.
Dropouts who indicated that they were going to get a GED or diploma were more likely to attain this goal than those dropouts who did not indicate an intention to earn a GED or diploma. However, a large number of dropouts
who expected to get their GEDs or diplomas failed to do so.
Solutions
Inclusion of at-risk factors in the funding formula;
Alternative Schools, Programs and Settings. Examples include:
Santa Fe Public High Schools and Santa Fe Community College have partnered to support ENLACE (Engaging Latino Communities for Education)
Impact/Gear Up in Farmington Public Middle Schools
Career Enrichment Center in Albuquerque Public Schools
Advanced Placement throughout the state
Carnegie Middle School Initiatives
Graduation Reality and Dual-Role Skills (GRADS) has been very successful;
Schools Within Schools with a particular emphasis on 9th grade students;
Career Academies
Source: State Department of Education resposne to House Memorial 73 (November 17, 1997)
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