NCASA is developing a series of high quality, reasonably-priced leadership programs for its membership and educators in North Carolina. The first program in this series is designed to address how POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND DATA help or hurt our efforts to reduce school dropouts. Now, in the 21st century, the costs of dropping out of school education are simply too great for the individual, your school and society!

The conference that will be conducted July 24th and 25th is designed for middle and high school educators. In North Carolina, the largest group of dropouts leave school in 9th grade, but these students make decisions about dropping out much earlier.

In your districts, one or more high schools and associated feeder middle school(s) are encouraged to send a team of three to five individuals representing administrators, counselors, and teachers. Members of the school district central office might also join the team. At the conference, each team will analyze their local dropout data along with the dropout prevention policies, programs and curriculum currently in place in their district and schools. Each team will take away from the conference a planning document to improve the alignment of dropout prevention policies, programs and curriculum.

 

Teams participating in the July conference will be invited to join the NCASA Dropout Prevention Coalition, forming a cohort of schools across the State invested in improving their dropout prevention efforts. Following a Plan/Do/Study/Act cycle, NCASA will provide continuing support in the 2008-09 school year to help teams in the Coalition carry out their planning (Do), evaluate the results of their efforts (Study) and implement continuous improvements (Act). This support will take the form of on-site professional development conducted in your school district and online resources that permit Coalition members to share ideas and information and on best practices.

Registration is $129 per individual. Visit the NCASA website at

 

www.ncasa.net today to learn more and register; space is limited.