Resources

In this section, you'll find current information about grants, promising practices, reports, and Web sites that promote high school graduation for all students. 

Grants

» NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants - provide opportunities for teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study.
Deadlines for application are October 15, 2008, February 1, 2009, June 1, 2009.

» Student Achievement Grants - provide $5,000 to improve the academic achievement of students by engaging in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. (These grants replace the Foundation’s Innovation Grants program, which has been discontinued.)
Deadlines for application are October 15, 2008, February 1, 2009, June 1, 2009.

» NEA's Books Across America Library Books Awards - In collaboration with the National Education Association, The NEA Foundation will make approximately 50 awards of $1,000 each to public schools serving economically disadvantaged students to purchase books for school libraries.
Deadline for applications is November 20, 2008, at 5:00 pm EST.

» $62.2M in Grants  - Money to fund longitudinal data systems in 13 states. (Institute of Education Sciences)

Promising Practices

» American Indian/Alaska Natives (2004-2005) ( PDF, 211 KB, 2pp) - Some barriers to learning and success faced by these students, strategies to address the barriers, and additional resources for school personnel. NEA Focus On Series 2004-2005.

» Asian/Pacific Islanders (2004-2005) ( PDF, 215 KB, 2pp) - Some barriers to learning and success faced by these students, strategies to address the barriers, and additional resources for school personnel. NEA Focus On Series 2004-2005.

» Blacks (2004-2005) ( PDF, 133 KB, 4pp) - Some barriers to learning and success faced by these students, strategies to address the barriers, and additional resources for school personnel. NEA Focus On Series 2004-2005.

» Hispanics (2004-2005) ( PDF, 149 KB, 4pp) - Some barriers to learning and success faced by these students, strategies to address the barriers, and additional resources for school personnel. NEA Focus On Series 2004-2005.

» Women and Girls (2004-2005) ( PDF, 91 KB, 2pp) - Some barriers to learning and success faced by these students, strategies to address the barriers, and additional resources for school personnel. NEA Focus On Series 2004-2005.

» Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgendered Persons (2004-2005) ( PDF, 825 KB, 2pp) - Some barriers to learning and success faced by these students, strategies to address the barriers, and additional resources for school personnel. NEA Focus On Series 2004-2005.

» C.A.R.E.: Strategies for Closing the Achievement Gaps
Guide to help educators ensure that all students have access to high-level classes and high-quality teachers and attain more high school and college diplomas. From NEA 2005.

» Improving Your Child's Education - A guide for Latino parents. (8 pp.) Education Trust, 2004.

Research, Reports, & Fact Sheets

» Race and Schools: The Need for Action - Recommendations for closing achievement gaps. (Orfield)

» The Crisis in the Education of Latino Students - Recommendations for closing achievement gaps. (Gándara)

» Reconnnecting with Out-of-School Youth - Review of report of 12 communities.

» Serving All Students - NEA series on six groups of students traditionally underserved by schools.

» Cities in Crisis - Review of new graduation report. America's Promise.

» End the Dropout Crisis? - Practical guide proposes three steps. CSOS.

» Dropout Prevention Programs - What Works Clearinghouse review of 11 programs.

» When Girls Don't Graduate - Report on the dropout crisis for girls.

» California Dropout Research Project - Site with statistics, publications, and activities in the news.

» Dropout Risk Factors & Exemplary Programs - Dropping out is result of long process of disengagement.

» What Dropouts Cost Us (  PDF,  83 KB,  6pp) - A brief on what the nation pays for high schools. (Alliance  for Excellent Education).

» Report on Dropout Rates - U.S. dropout trends over last three decades. (NCES 2007). 

» One-Third of a Nation (  PDF, 1883 KB, 48pp) - Report of rising dropout rates and declining opportunities. Educational Testing Service, 2005.

» The School Dropout Crisis - Exploring communitywide solutions. From Learning to Finish, a national initiative of the Pew Partnership for Civic Change.

» School Start Time Report - This report found that starting the school day later is better for adolescents.

» Critical Evidence (  PDF,  957 KB, 24pp) - Research studies on the relationships between arts and academic and social outcomes for students, including youth who are at risk of dropping out.

» Public High School Graduation and College-Readiness Rates: 1991-2002 - This study calculated graduation rates, both nationally and for each state, for each public school graduating class from 1991 to 2002. Education Commission of States, 2005.

» Fighting the Bully Battle - Fact sheets about bullying and being  bullied and how it can cause kids to withdraw from school. From National School Safety Center (2006).

» What Your Community Can Do To End Its Dropout Crisis ( PDF, 29pp) - Research and practice guide. (Johns Hopkins 2007)

Audio Article

» Dropouts Aren't All 'F' Students (audio) (3:13 min) (NPR)

Book

»  Look Out College, Here I Come! - Governor Michael F. Easley (NC) tells children that it's never too early to start thinking about college and career goals. NEA & Pearson Custom Publishing, 2007.

Web Sites

» Boost Up - Through videos and text, ten students of the class of 2007 talk about who has given them a boost to stay in school and graduate. From the Ad Council & the U.S. Army.

»  Connect with Kids Dropout information - From a commercial group that produces a television series addressing the problems children face and creates a curriculum for K-12.

» Ending the Silent Epidemic - This site offers a blueprint for action and a 10-point plan.

»  National Dropout Prevention Centers - Providing information & promoting networks to help youth in at-risk situations graduate from high school.

» Project UTurn - Philadelphia citywide campaign for turning around the dropout problem.

Updated October 2008.