Dropout Prevention and Intervention Programs: Effects on School Completion and Dropout among School‐aged Children and Youth

Mark W Lipsey,Katarzyna Steinka‐Fry,Sandra Jo Wilson,Jan Morrison,Emily E Tanner‐Smith

doi:10.4073/csr.2011.8

Abstract

Dropout Prevention and Intervention Programs: Effects on School Completion and Dropout among School‐aged Children and Youth

Highlights

With the expansion of regional and national economies into a global marketplace, education has critical importance as a primary factor in allowing young adults to enter the workforce and advance economically, as well as to share in the social, health, and other benefits associated with education and productive careers
General dropout programs (152 studies; 317 independent samples) and dropout programs for teen parents (15 studies; 51 independent samples) were analyzed in separate meta-analyses. Both general dropout programs and programs specialized for teen parents were effective in reducing school dropout
Results indicated that most school- and community-based programs were effective in decreasing school dropout

Summary

Introduction

With the expansion of regional and national economies into a global marketplace, education has critical importance as a primary factor in allowing young adults to enter the workforce and advance economically, as well as to share in the social, health, and other benefits associated with education and productive careers. Dropout rates in the United States vary by calculation method, state, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status (Cataldi, Laird, & KewelRamani, 2009). The status dropout rate, which estimates the percentage of individuals in a certain age range who are not in high school and have not earned a diploma or credential, is slightly lower. The National Dropout Prevention Center/Network reports that school dropouts in the United States earn an average of $9,245 a year less than those who complete high school, have unemployment rates almost 13 percentage points higher than high school graduates, are disproportionately represented in prison populations, are more likely to become teen parents, and more frequently live in poverty (2009). High school dropout and completion rates in the United States: 2007 (NCES 2009-064).

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion