Approaches to Dropout Prevention: Heeding Early Warning Signs with Appropriate Interventions

This report discusses effective ways in which school systems can focus their dropout prevention efforts. It describes key school-level indicators of students most likely to drop out of high school, for example, grades, retention, attendance, and classroom behavior and engagement, claiming that they are better predictors of dropout than fixed status indicators such as gender, race, and poverty. Lastly, the report outlines steps that schools should follow if they want to build an early warning system for students on the verge of dropping out.