Transcript Slide 1

Funding and Resources for
Dropout Recovery & Multiple
Education Pathways
Dropout Recovery Discussion Group,
American Youth Policy Forum
October 20, 2006
Mala B. Thakur, Executive Director
National Youth Employment Coalition
The National Youth Employment Coalition
NYEC improves the effectiveness of
organizations that seek to help youth become
productive citizens. NYEC is a 27 year-old
national membership network of over 250
youth employment, youth development, and
education organizations in 40 states.
The National Youth Employment Coalition…
Sets and Promotes Quality Standards
Tracks, Crafts and Influences Policy
Provides & Supports Professional
Development
Builds the Capacity of Organizations &
Programs
Financing Alternative
Education Pathways: Profiles
and Policy – published in 2005
NYEC examined state policies
and funding streams that
support alternative education
schools/programs in Arizona,
California, Illinois, Ohio,
Oregon, Texas, Virginia &
Wisconsin
Purpose
• To promote the establishment of
sustainable state funding streams to
support a broader range of alternative
pathways for disconnected youth.
Background
High School Completion Rates
• Urban Institute reports that nationwide the overall
graduation rate for the class of 2001 was only 68
percent.
• In many urban districts and among minority
populations, only 50 percent or less of youth
complete high school.
• According to Education Testing Service, from 1990
to 2000, the high school completion rate declined in
all but seven states.
Background
• Recognize that State Education
represents one of the largest funding
streams that can potentially support
disconnected youth
• 2004- NYEC began investigating how
alternative schools and programs access
state/local ed funding to re-engage &
recover dropouts
Background
 Follow up to 1996 Nat. Conference of
State Legislators Report
State Education Funding Policies and
School to Work Transitions for
Dropouts and At Risk Youth
 NYEC conducted scan of state
definitions of alternative education
Punitive language
No explicit funding barriers
Profiles
• Profiled programs/schools that accessed state and
local in the following states:
• Community Prep High School,
New York, NY
• High School Completion Program,
Adult Career Development Center,
Richmond, VA
• Los Angeles Conservation Corps,
Los Angeles, CA
• American Youth Works Charter School
Austin, Texas
Profiles
• Center of Excellence Charter High School
Arizona Call-A-Teen Youth Resources
Phoenix, AZ
• Improved Solutions for Urban Systems (ISUS)
Dayton, OH
• Open Meadow Alternative Schools
Portland, OR
• TransCenter for Youth
Milwaukee, WI
State Policy Mechanisms
• Enact state programs allowing education
funding to follow “at-risk” students to
alternative education settings. (Portland,
Oregon)
• Allow school districts to award credit based
on proficiency and competency. (Milwaukee,
WI)
• Establish multiple charter granting
authorities, some of which are outside of the
traditional K-12 system. (Ohio, Wisconsin)
State Policy Mechanisms
Future Recommendations
• Establish an education accountability
system, compliant with both state and
federal requirements, that recognizes
progress over time based on academic
levels at entry
• Include mechanisms that support &
promote flexibility to create a system of
diverse secondary offerings
State Policy Mechanisms
Future Recommendations
• Develop mechanisms that provide
support to and promote the creation of
networks
Principles & Elements of Quality
Practice
• Link to academic standards
• Able to connect youth to caring adults and
mentors
• Responsive to learning styles of youth
• Competency based or allow for credit recovery
• Able to connect youth to opportunities for paid
service/work experience
• Offering pathways to recognized credentials,
post secondary ed. and careers
Additional Efforts
• Expanding Alternative Education Pathways:
Strengthening Policies and Practices that
Support At Risk and Out of School Youth
• Financing Educational Options for Struggling
Students and Out of School Youth
• Transition to Higher Education Project
The Opportunity
•
•
•
•
Older youth issues and the drop-out rate
are getting unprecedented attention
nationally.
Youth serving systems are more receptive
to collaboration
Workforce systems should have key role in
dropout recovery and re-engagement
Employers demanding more skilled workers
Issues for Further Exploration
• What are the key issues surrounding the funding of education
options and multiple pathways, and the sustainability of these
funding streams?
• What are some additional successful strategies, challenges,
and barriers to accessing funding for education options and
multiple pathways?
• Are there additional elements, structures, and mechanisms that
must be in place in order to sustain funding for multiple
education pathways?
• What can we learn from the financing of alternative education
pathways as we inform and craft federal policy, such as No
Child Left Behind?
Mala B. Thakur
Executive Director
National Youth Employment Coalition
1836 Jefferson Place, NW
Washington, DC
202-659-1064
[email protected]
www.nyec.org