Dropout Prevention Coalition E-Newsletter
Fall 2013
Welcome to the Southeastern North Carolina Dropout Prevention Newsletter. We will be
highlighting dropout prevention activities and accomplishments in the region. So please send us
your stories, highlights, accomplishments and upcoming events. Additionally, we will give you
some notice to local and national events, resources, funding and research.
Fall 2013
September 10: Advisory Board Meeting
UNCW Watson College of Education
3:00 - 4:30pm. Room 337
Local Events Update
Join us for this Free DPC Event!!
Dropout Prevention Coalition Forum –
December 12, 2013 3-6 pm
Save the date! On December 12, the Watson
College of Education Dropout Prevention
Coalition will host a forum on Career and
Technical Education. This is the third in a series
focusing on priority topics in our schools. At the
first event, a Symposium held in December 2012,
a wide range of successful programs offered to
PreK-12 students by schools and community
agencies in the region was showcased. At a
follow-up March, the Coalition hosted a
Roundtable entitled “Easing the Transition from
Middle School to High School.” If you have a
speaker or program to recommend, please
contact Deloris Rhodes (rhodesd@uncw.edu) or
Dr. Janna Robertson (robertsonj@uncw.edu).
Local Events Update
1
Regional Success Stories
2
Regional Resources
3
Dropout Prevention Info
3
North Carolina News
4
Funding Sources
5
Watson College Public Speaker Series
Dr. Lisa Delpit:
Unsilencing The Dialogue: Embracing
the Needs of Diverse Students
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
5:30-7:00 pm at UNCW Lumina Theater
Reception in her honor starting at 4:30pm in the Fisher Student
Center, Clocktower Lounge
This event is free to community members
Currently the Felton G. Clark Professor of Education at Southern
University in Baton Rouge, Dr. Lisa D. Delpit is the former Executive
Director/Eminent Scholar for the Center for Urban Education &
Innovation at Florida International University in Miami and former
holder of the Benjamin E. Mays Chair of Urban Educational Excellence
at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
Continued on page 4
Ensuring North Carolina’s Global Success: Reducing our “skills gap” through Proven Investments in Kids
http://americasedge.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/1309-NC-SkillsGap-CCSSHS.pdf
The Washington-based group, America's Edge, says in the report - that the state needs to increase access to high
school models that engage students with relevant lessons that combine rigorous academics with work-based
learning experiences and an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills.
A common element in many of these proven and promising high school education models is the integration of
rigorous academics, career-relevant instruction, support services for students and real world, work-based
learning experiences supported by industry and community partners.
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Dropout Prevention Coalition E-Newsletter
Fall 2013
North Carolina and our Region: Highest Graduation Rates Ever!
Congratulations to all of our participating school districts. Due to hard work and dedication of the school
personnel, community agencies, parents and students, our region is improving their graduation rates and
reducing the numbers of students who drop out of school. The Dropout Prevention Coalition has been in
existence for 3 years and has been showcasing best practices from our region. And it looks like those practices,
strategies and interventions are paying off in improvements in our graduation rates. We still have work to do
and hope we can continue to support all of you in your efforts.
Dropout Prevention
Coalition
Participating LEA
Bladen County
Brunswick County
Carteret County
Columbus County
Whiteville City
Craven County
Duplin County
Jones County
Lenoir County
New Han. County
Onslow County
Pamlico County
Pender County
Sampson County
Clinton City
NO. CAROLINA
2010-11
Graduation
Rates %
2011-12
Graduation
Rates %
74.90
79.20
83.00
81.60
78.10
80.90
69.10
77.00
71.90
73.90
81.70
80.90
81.90
73.40
78.10
77.90
2012-13
Graduation
Rates %
79.80
83.80
83.50
81.20
82.70
85.60
80.80
80.60
78.10
80.40
86.50
87.80
86.60
73.60
81.90
80.40
Amount change
over past 3 years
%
78.90
85.70
84.70
84.80
80.10
86.00
79.90
81.10
77.90
82.40
87.20
92.90
87.20
75.00
84.10
82.50
4.00
6.50
1.70
3.20
2.00
5.10
10.80
4.10
6.00
8.50
5.50
12.00
5.30
1.60
6.00
4.60
Our region is following a national trend of increased graduation rates. There was a period of stagnation between 1970
and 2000 in graduation rates. There are several explanations for the rise since 2000 provided in this article in Education
Next about the national trends : . http://educationnext.org/graduations-on-the-rise/
Member Event:
Come Join Us! What’s Next In Your Life? Transition Fair
As students with disabilities prepare to graduate and leave high school, each will be faced with many important decision making opportunities in
regard to What’s Next In Your Life?. It is critical that students and their families have access to the information they need in order to make these
decisions. A transition fair provides the opportunity for them to gather information and to meet and talk with various community agencies and
potential employers in one location.
This Transition Fair is designed to expose students and parents to the employment, educational, and community service opportunities available to
them in the greater Wilmington area. With approximately 300 young adults attending, this event will provide your business with the opportunity to
showcase your unique characteristics and explain what sets you apart from the rest of your competition! Come and teach our youth what it takes to
make it in today’s world!
Reserve Your Booth Today!
The New Hanover County Schools Transition Advisory Team invites you to advertise and display your company information at the Transition Fair.
Date: October 29, 2013
Location: Dale K. Spencer Building, 1802 S. 15th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
Booth Times: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
(Parents & Students will browse the display booths.)
Betsy Stanwood New Hanover County Schools 1802 S. 15th Street Wilmington, NC 28401 FAX: 910-254-4446 Email: betsy.stanwood@nhcs.net
Dropout Prevention Coalition E-Newsletter
National News
Dropout Indicators Found for 1st Graders
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/07/29/37
firstgrade.h32.html?tkn=MLXFm%2FUb9fyfyJtF4%2F
WvxbdNwMBp%2BoHth7%2BK&cmp=clp-edweek
Experiment increases number of lowincome applicants to selective colleges
http://www.youthtoday.org/view_article.cfm?a
rticle_id=6122
Guesses and Hype Give Way to Data in
Study of Education
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/03/science/
applying-new-rigor-in-studying-education.html
Parent and Family Involvement
in Education, National Survey
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2013/2013028.pdf
The Link Between Suspension and
Dropout
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/link-betweensuspension-and-dropout-robyn-gee
Regional Resources
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Check out our Website!
http://uncw.edu/ed/Dropout/
Local STEM Resources!
http://uncw.edu/ed/stem/
More STEM assistance
http://www.uncw.edu/cestem/
Watson College of Education
Chronicle
http://issuu.com/wseconnections/
docs/watsonchronicle0913

WCE website
http://uncw.edu/ed/
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Fall 2013
Upcoming Events
Dropout Prevention Coalition E-Newsletter
North Carolina: How do the Public Schools measure up?
(June Atkinson NCDPI)
North Carolina’s…
… four-year high school graduation rate is 80.4 percent, the highest in state history.
… Career and Technical Education completers’ graduation rate is 94 percent.
… annual dropout rate is 3.01 percent, the lowest in history.
North Carolina public schools are
» Among the top 11 participating education systems in the world for 4th & 8th grade math scores
on the 2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
» 36th in SAT scores
» 22nd in ACT scores
» 21st in the percentage of seniors who took at least 1 Advanced Placement exam in high
school
» 12th in 4th grade math, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
» 24th in 4th grade reading, according to NAEP
» 22nd in 8th grade math, according to NAEP
» 34th in 8th grade reading, according to NAEP
» Among the bottom 10 states in per pupil funding
» 41st in teacher pay (2010-11 school year)
The Remodeling Plan for Public
Education – A Comprehensive Strategy
Why?
All students must graduate and be career, college, and citizenship ready.
How?
1. New standards and assessments of what students know and are able to do
a. National assessment
b. Computer adaptive assessments
c. Ongoing evaluation of student learning
2. New Tools
a. Cloud computing
b. 1:1 digital device for every student, including
Bring Your Own Device programs
c. Access to a teacher time saver instructional technology system
3. Retooling the skills of 100,000 teachers and principals
a. New evaluation system
b. Online learning available 24/7
c. Use of analytics
4. Personalization of learning for 1.5 million students
a. Online learning
b. “Flip” education
Visit us online at www.ncpublicschools.org
North Carolina in the News
N.C. Program to
Recognize Exemplary
STEM Schools
http://www.edweek.org/ew/art
icles/2013/09/11/03stem.h33.ht
ml?qs=erik+robelen
Fall 2013
Lisa Delpit:
Speaker Series
Continued from page 1
Lisa Delpit is an
internationally-known
speaker and writer
whose work has
focused on the
education of children of
color and the
perspectives,
aspirations, and
pedagogy of teachers of
color. Her work on
school-community
relations and crosscultural communication,
particularly her
awarding-winning first
book, Other People’s
Children, was cited as a
contributor to her
receiving a MacArthur
“Genius” Award in
1990. Her most recent
book, published in 2012,
is “Multiplication is For
White People”: Raising
Expectations for Other
People’s Children.
Save the Date!
26th Annual At-Risk
Youth National
FORUM (DPC is a
co-sponsor!)
February 16-20, 2014
"Providing Hope and
Support In and Beyond
the Classroom"
Embassy Suites at
Kingston Plantation,
Myrtle Beach, SC
Dropout Prevention Coalition E-Newsletter
Fall 2013
An excellent source for funding information is the Foundation Center. Listings of foundations and guidelines
for writing grants are available. Sample proposals and common grant applications are also provided. The
Foundation Center provides a variety of other resources and materials, including prospect worksheets that
can help you focus on funders whose priorities match those of your project.
Many businesses donate money to the communities in which they are located. You will usually find giving
guidelines on corporate Web sites under headings such as "community" or "corporate citizenship." Business
grants can be found at: http://www.dropoutprevention.org/grant-resources/funding-sources
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Government grants can be found at UCLA Center's Mental Health in Schools site.
Grants Alert - A website dedicated to making life a little easier for those who devote their time to
searching for education grants.
Grant Station can help your organization make smarter, better-informed fundraising decisions
Grant Watch - A free grants listing service that helps teachers find classroom grants for school
funding.
GrantWrangler - A free grants listing service that helps teachers find classroom grants for school
funding.
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Funding Opportunities
Youth Today Grants Today- A national source for news, views and important developments in the
youth service field from a nonprofit organization.
Kids in Need Teacher Grants http://www.kinf.org/grants/grant_applications.php
More grant information at: http://www.dropoutprevention.org/grant-resources and http://youthtoday.org/grants
OCTOBER is Bullying Prevention Month!
There are some great online resources for children, parents and educators about bullying prevention:
www.stopbullying.gov, www.bullyingprevention.org, www.stopbullyingnow.com, www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org
The North Carolina Service-Learning Coalition is proud to host the 2nd state-wide summit on service-learning
on October 19th from 8:00am to 4:30pm, at the NC State McKimmon Center in Raleigh. With support from
sponsors at State Farm Insurance and Communities In Schools of North Carolina, the 2nd Annual Summit will
convene 200 K-12 & Higher Education students, teachers, community partners and service-learning practitioners.
The Summit's theme - Making A Difference Together - will be on center stage to initiate learning tracks for those
new to service-learning, and those with deep experience in 18 unique sessions. Registration is Free!
https://ncslsummit2013.eventbrite.com/
Additional Information for our Members . . .
______________________________________________________________________________________
UNCW Pediatric ADHD & Neurofeedback Clinic is offering free screening and biofeedback for
children and adolescents with attention deficit disorder from low income households. Call 9623373 for more information. The clinic is located in the Teaching Laboratory Building room 3111. Please
pass this information along to anyone who you believe may benefit or know someone who might. We
have parking spaces and bus route information available.
Note: Please send any items you would like to see in upcoming newsletters to Dr. Janna
Robertson at robertsonj@uncw.edu We want to share your news! Please send it as soon as you
can get it to us!
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