Policy Challenges Conference: Bridging Research and Practice:
Dropout Prevention: Keeping Our Kids in School
February 9, 2010
Administrative and Conference Center at the University of the Virgin Islands
St. Thomas Campus
Co-hosted by:
Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education
View media coverage of this event:
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U.S. Virgin Islands Education Commissioner La Verne Terry (left), Board of Education Chair Winona Hendricks, and Senate President Louis Patrick Hill discuss policymakers’ perspectives on dropout prevention at a Policy Challenges Conference in St. Thomas. |
The economic and social consequences of leaving school without a high school diploma have a profound impact on the students and the entire community. In 2006–07, 13.8 percent of U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) teens were estimated to be high-school dropouts, according to USVI KidsCount. By contrast, 7 percent of U.S. teens age 16–19 were estimated to be high-school dropouts during the same period. Increasing the number of students who graduate from high school is a priority of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE).
This Policy Challenges Conference assisted VIDE and USVI educators and policymakers to better understand this complex issue and to forge collaborative efforts with the purpose of developing and revising policies and practices that impact school completion and participation.
 Dr. Russell Rumberger, co-author of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Dropout Prevention Practice Guide, presented the Guide’s six evidence-based recommendations for effective practices to prevent students from dropping out of school. Key stakeholder representatives from the Virgin Islands commented on these recommendations from the perspectives of U.S.V.I. policymakers and practitioners. REL-NEI provided information on research-based resources to assist policymakers and practitioners in their efforts to address this problem. Additionally, attendees participated in discussions,
co-facilitated by REL-NEI, VIDE, and the Region II Equity Assistance Center, about local laws, policies, and practices needed to reduce dropout rates and increase student attendance in U.S.V.I. schools.
View the slides from Dr. Rumberger’s presentation (PDF).
View the IES Practice Guide series.
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Dr. Russell Rumberger, UC-Santa Barbara |
Featured Speaker:
Dr. Russell Rumberger is Professor of Education at the University of California at Santa Barbara. His research interests focus on school dropouts, school mobility, educational underachievement of ethnic and language minority students, and school effectiveness, and he employs both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Rumberger is co-author of the Dropout Prevention Practice Guide, published by IES. Other recent publications include: Immigration, Language, and Education: How Does Language Policy Structure Opportunity?; Ethnic and Gender Differences in California High School Graduation Rates; and What the Federal Government Can Do to Improve High School Performance.
Key Speakers and Panelists:
- Honorable John P. deJongh, Jr., Governor, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Honorable La Verne Terry,
Ed. D., Commissioner, V.I. Department of Education; REL-NEI Governing Board
- Honorable Albert Bryan, Jr., Commissioner, V.I. Department of Labor
- Honorable Louis Patrick Hill, President, U.S.V.I. Senate
- Mrs. Winona Hendricks, Chair, V.I. Board of Education
- Dr. David Hall, President, University of the Virgin Islands
- Mr. Victor Somme III, Director, Alternative Education Programs, St. Croix District
- Ms. Cira Burke, Director of Intervention Services, St. Thomas–St. John District
- Ms. Jill Weber, Director, REL-NEI at Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC)
- Ms. Janet Phlegar, Director of State Relations, REL-NEI; Learning Innovations at WestEd
- Dr. Velma Cobb, Director, Region II Equity Assistance Center
More Information:
 
Additional Materials:
Related REL and IES Resources:
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