Graduation Resources for Schools and Districts
Resources for Schools and Districts
The resources in this section provide graduation related information for schools and districts to help increase the number of students who complete school with a high school diploma.
- Prevention Programs and Strategies
This website contains resources to support district implementation of academic and career planning (ACP). Academic and Career Plans (ACPs), often referred to as Individualized Learning Plans, present an opportunity to improve academic achievement and post-secondary success for all students. Research validates how ACPs improve student motivation and engagement; foster increased school-family communication; aid goal setting, planning, and achievement; and enhance transitioning after high school.
Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
The ultimate goal of a comprehensive school counseling program is student success. The program's design, delivery, and content are dedicated to enhancing the ability of each and every student to fully utilize the educational opportunities available to them. The PreK-12 program is delivered through direct and indirect services designed to address three domains of student development: academic, personal/social, and career.
Comprehensive school counseling programs are integral to the school's educational environment, partnering with other academic and behavioral initiatives to effect positive changes in student achievement and behavior. Professional school counselors plan and deliver the comprehensive school counseling programming collaboration with school administrators, other professional educators, and community members to produce measurable results. Resulting positive changes include increased student achievement, improved graduation rates, better attendance, reduced disciplinary referrals, , and increased student participation in school and the broader community.
- Reengagement Programs and Strategies
Reengagement programs and strategies seek to help out-of-school youth reenroll in school and earn a high school diploma or equivalency degree.
Efforts include:
- Adult career and technical education programs.
- High school equivalency test programs to prepare students for an alternative credential.
- Computer-based instruction, such as distance learning programs.
- In-school programs that provide academic or social and emotional support for students who reenroll after dropping out.
- Programs that grant credit toward high school completion for mastery of skills and content, as opposed to actual hours of instruction (i.e., “seat time”).
- Alternative or “second chance” schools.
- Dropout Prevention Strategies
Foundational Strategies
- Systemic Approach
- School-Community Collaboration
- Safe Learning Environments
Early Interventions
- Family Engagement
- Early Childhood Education
- Early Literacy Development
Basic Core Strategies
- Mentoring/Tutoring
- Service-Learning
- Alternative Schooling
- After-School/Out-of-School Opportunities
Managing and Improving Instruction
- Professional Development
- Active Learning
- Educational Technology
- Individualized Instruction
- Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- Professional Development
Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention
The National Dropout Prevention Center/Network has identified 15 effective strategies that have the most positive impact on the dropout rate. These strategies have been implemented successfully at all education levels and environments throughout the nation.
- Students with Disabilities
This bulletin provides answers to frequently asked questions about graduation requirements for students with disabilities.
Bulletin 26.01: Transition Planning and Services for Students with IEPs, DPI
This bulletin provides answers to frequently asked questions about planning and documenting transition services for students with disabilities in the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Transition Planning for Students with IEPs, DPI
This webpage provides information on data collection requirements, post school outcomes data, and requirements specifically related to developing post-secondary transition plans for students receiving special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
College, Career, and Community Readiness for Students with IEPs, DPI
This webpage provides information on a wide variety of state and national resources including links to videos and external technical assistance organizations that focus on transition planning and supports that may be needed to assist students with disabilities in life after high school.