Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

Education

State Perspective

Findings

Information taken from the Longitudinal Study by Colorado State University and Albuquerque Public schools (APS) Research Collaborative.  The research project involves two phases: an initial survey at a time of dropping out and a follow-up survey approximately three years after the initial survey.

• The study reflects other studies:  dropouts have very low GPAs, are less likely to be involved in extracurricular activities, have more disciplinary problems at school, and are more likely to be retained.
• Third grade achievement test scores indicate that dropouts were already substantially behind in language skills. Increasing emphasis on language development in the early grades is an absolute necessity.
• Three variables predict whether a dropout will successfully return to school:
  1. Peer relations:  if a dropout associates with individuals who completed high school, then the dropout was more likely to obtain a GED. Likewise, if a dropout has friends who are attending college then he/she was more likely to obtain a high school diploma. Other studies have found that peer relationships are very predictive of school achievement.
  2. Third grade achivement test scores:  those dropouts with higher reading scores were more likely to obtain a GED or high school diploma, and those dropouts with higher math scores were more likely to obtain a diploma.
  3. The dropout's expectations after he/she dropped out of school: those individuals who indicated they were going to get a GED or diploma were more likely to attain this goal than those dropouts who did not indicate an intention to earn a GED or diploma. However, a large number of dropouts who expected to get their GEDs or diplomas failed to do so.
  Source:  State Department of Education resposne to House Memorial 73 (November 17, 1997)

 

Solutions

Inclusion of at-risk factors in the funding formula

Alternative schools, programs and settings.  Examples include:

• San Andres High School in Las Cruces
• Career Enrichment Center in Albuquerque Public Schools
• Family Partnership in West Las Vegas
• Advanced Placement throughout the state
• Carnegie Middle School Initiatives

  Graudation Reality and Dual-Role Skills (GRADS) has been very successful;

  Schools Within Schools with a particular emphasis on 9th grade students;

  Career Academies;

  Systematic Improvement in language development and early intervition to target literacy skills

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