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High School Dropout Rates�In New York City

Kim McIntoshParker

John Dewey High School

KMcintoshParker@schools.nyc.gov

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Six Steps of the Public Policy Analyst

Define the Problem

Gather the Evidence

Identify the Cause

Evaluate an Existing Problem

Develop Solutions

Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)

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Define the Problem

New York City’s high school students are dropping out of school at alarming rates. Some of the causes that affect dropout rates are poor attendance, students falling behind academically, family obligations and changing requirements to obtain a high school diploma.

It’s concerning for all involved especially the New York City Board of Education as well as parents.�

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Gather The Evidence

A REPORT IN 2003 SPOKE TO STUDENTS TO DETERMINE SOME OF THE REASONS STUDENTS DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL.

�BEHIND ACADEMICALLY (93% HAD FALLEN BEHIND WITH CREDITS)
INSUFFICIENT READING AND MATH SCORES
LOST INTEREST AFTER STRUGGLING TO CATCH UP
EMBARRASSED TO SEE CLASSMATES MOVING ON WITHOUT THEM

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Identify The Cause

There are many reasons/causes student's dropout of high school, and some reasons go beyond school.
Some students may need to take care of a sick relative or in so cases students may need to find employment to help support their families.

Some common reasons why students drop out of high school.

(According to RESEARCH.com)

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Evaluating an Existing Problem

A STUDY FOUND THAT ALMOST 140,000 YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN AGES 16 AND 21 WERE SO FAR BEHIND WITH CREDITS AND FELT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CATCH UP WHICH CAUSED THEM TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL.

RISK

Frequency

Severity

IMPACT

URGENCY

It’s also believed that when students fall behind it becomes difficult for them to get back on track.

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Develop Solutions

Possible solutions to help decrease dropout rates.

Improve the quality of education which is essential to preventing school dropout.
Build community partnerships that help support students who are at risk of dropping out.
Focus on success. It’s important to focus on student success rather than student failure.
Provide Mentors
Training Programs
Tutors

NY is Considering New Graduation Requirements, Including Potential Changes to Regents Exams. (Article)

New York plans to present a new plan for school graduation requirements to the state Board of Regents in November which will consider alternative educational pathways to graduation.

Quote:

“We have discussed everything from course and credit requirements to looking at financial literacy,” said Angelique Johnson-Dingle, deputy commissioner of P-12 instructional support. “We’ve talked a bit about ethnic studies, culturally responsive sustaining education, and of course, the role of Regents exams.”

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Select Best Solution�(Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)

Eliminating REGENTS exams and replacing them with other methods of assessments like portfolios will increase graduations rates since students will have another pathway to graduation.

This is feasible and will demonstrate effectiveness in the long run.

New Graduation Recommendations

https://youtu.be/32X9-_5WvzI?si=jBbvwIJ-IUhavfNb