Drop-Outs

DROPOUT PREVENTION

The Clay County Board of Education recognizes that students dropping out of school are a serious problem, nationally and locally. The lack of quality education is a loss to the individual and to society. As part of the Clay County School system's continued concern for each student's success in school, the following guidelines are offered;

1.  Identification of the potential drop out is important. A variety of resources can be used to identify the potential dropout. County test data, student records, referrals from other agencies, and other resources may be utilized to identify those who may drop out. School personnel are believed to be one of the best resources for identifying these students. Cooks, bus drivers, librarians, teachers, and other staff are sometimes told in formally by the student of a desire to dropout. These employees can offer encouragement to the student as well as making a referral. Whenever school personnel find evidence of a potential dropout, they are encouraged to notify the principal or counselor.

2 .  It is recommended that the high school principal be made aware of students who have been identified as potential dropouts at the junior high level. This should be done upon the student's entrance into high school. Any information that can be used by the high school staff to delay or prevent the student's dropping out should be included in a report from the junior high.  This in formation is to be seen as a positive step to reduce dropouts. It is not to be considered a list of problem students.

3.  The Clay County Board of Education has an attendance policy. (See JBD-A and JBD-B.) This attendance policy requires a student's parent/guardian to be notified by mail when a student has been absent from school eight days. It is recommended that at this time the principal or a person designated by the principal also call the student's parent/guardian if possible in an attempt to work with the parent/guardian to keep the student in school.

4.  It is assumed that some students dropout because they have failed more grades than their peers. Therefore, it is recommended that a student who fails a grade level in grades 7-12 will be given at least one supervised study period the following year unless the principal determines that there is reason for the student to carry full schedule of classes. When a student is given a supervised study period for reason of failure, the supervising teacher should be notified. These students will have an opportunity to take advantage of tutoring.

Approved: March 1983

Revised: July 1985