When Dropping Out is Not a Permanent High School Outcome: Student Characteristics,Motivations, and Reenrollment Challenges |
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| Authors: | Vanessa X Barrat BethAnn Berliner Anthony B Fong |
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| Institution: | 1. WestEd vbarrat@wested.org;3. WestEd |
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| Abstract: | The customary perception is that students who drop out vanish from school enrollment rosters for good. This is an incomplete picture of the complex dropout story; dropping out is not necessarily a permanent high school outcome. Following the enrollment and course history of a district cohort of first-time 9th graders, this article documents the cohort's dropout, reenrollment, and graduation outcomes. One-third of dropouts reenrolled in district high schools, and older students and students behind in course credits were less likely to reenroll than other dropouts. Interviews with district administrators, high school principals, and reenrollees examined student motivations for reenrolling and challenges districts face when dropouts reenroll. Dropouts return primarily because of limited employment opportunities and efforts of school leaders to facilitate their return. Yet reenrollment created district challenges related to funding, accountability, and getting students who had dropped out on track to graduate. |
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