Are 'Early Warning Systems' for Potential Dropouts Working?

While the high school dropout rate across the country is alarming, it does not have to be inevitable. Many believe that identifying and reacting to early signs of dropping out can prevent some kids from doing so. To that end, some school districts are using early warning systems that target at-risk students. But are these systems actually working?

Find available tutors

high school dropout rates early warning signs

Heeding the Warning Signs

The idea behind early warning systems is to track several indicators or predictors that could be seen as 'red flags' for potential dropouts. Problems seen in one or more of these areas could help officials determine which students might drop out and subsequently address these problems using intervention methods such as tutoring, mentoring or parental communication.

Different systems use different indicators (Louisiana's system once used more than 200!), but all of them generally track a few of the same. These are:

  • Attendance: those missing more than 20 days of school might be potential dropouts.
  • Behavior: repeated detentions or suspensions are a bad sign.
  • Course performance: students who do not perform well in some classes could be in danger of dropping out.

Systems Not Perfected

There are currently 16 states utilizing early warning systems for potential dropouts. Of those, only four issue weekly or daily reports concerning the information gathered by these systems.

So, are these systems being utilized correctly? It's hard to say, since many of them are relatively new. But some feel that ninth grade is too long to wait to implement these systems because by that grade students have likely already decided whether or not they are dropping out (there are, however, some systems being used for early intervention; a program called Diplomas Now, for example, which began in 2008, instituted an early warning system in middle schools in several cities including Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles).

Another question the systems raise is: Can some indicators be properly tracked? For instance, behavior can be difficult since discipline practices vary so greatly, not just from state to state but also within school districts.

Are Systems Helping?

In many cases, early warning systems are simply too new to have been adequately studied for their effectiveness.

But studies of systems that have been in place for longer than two years indicate that they are having some impact. For instance, Abbeville High School in Louisiana showed 90% of ninth-graders moved on to 10th grade in 2008, when the school implemented an early-warning and intervention program.

A review of the Check & Connect early warning system by the U.S. Department of Education in 2006 found that schools using this system showed improved effectiveness in getting students to not only stay in school but to progress as well.

Did you find this useful? If so, please let others know!

Other Articles You May Be Interested In

  • More Blog Articles
    Should Your Child Finish High School Before Learning to Drive?

    One method that seems to be fairly effective with many kids who are not doing well in school is to take away something they enjoy, such as TV, video games or cell phones. Some state governments have even enacted laws wherein licenses are taken away from those who drop out of school. Is this too much government interference?...

  • More Blog Articles
    Pepper Spraying Students: High School Security Gone Awry

    When students feel unsafe in school, they should be able to trust in the school's security officers. But in Birmingham, it's the security officers who are making the students feel unsafe. Their aggressive use of pepper spray is causing controversy and heightening friction with students.

We Found 7 Tutors You Might Be Interested In

Huntington Learning

  • What Huntington Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • One on one tutoring
  • Every Huntington tutor is certified and trained extensively on the most effective teaching methods
In-Center and Online

K12

  • What K12 offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Has a strong and effective partnership with public and private schools
  • AdvancED-accredited corporation meeting the highest standards of educational management
Online Only

Kaplan Kids

  • What Kaplan Kids offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Customized learning plans
  • Real-Time Progress Reports track your child's progress
Online Only

Kumon

  • What Kumon offers:
  • In-center tutoring
  • Individualized programs for your child
  • Helps your child develop the skills and study habits needed to improve their academic performance
In-Center and Online

Sylvan Learning

  • What Sylvan Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • Sylvan tutors are certified teachers who provide personalized instruction
  • Regular assessment and progress reports
In-Home, In-Center and Online

Tutor Doctor

  • What Tutor Doctor offers:
  • In-Home tutoring
  • One on one attention by the tutor
  • Develops personlized programs by working with your child's existing homework
In-Home Only

TutorVista

  • What TutorVista offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Student works one-on-one with a professional tutor
  • Using the virtual whiteboard workspace to share problems, solutions and explanations
Online Only

Our Commitment to You

  • Free Help from Teachers

  • Free Learning Materials

  • Helping Disadvantaged Youth