Dropout Prevention/Student Intervention
Through a relationship-focused effort, the WCPS Dropout Prevention/Graduation Coaching initiative reaches out to impact the achievement of over 1,100 students throughout the county each year.
Dropout Prevention/Graduation Coaching Promotes:
- Consistently high graduation rate
- Consistently low dropout rate
- Increased student attendance
- Increased student engagement
- Students developing a vision for their future
- Successful student transitions: Link Crew/WEB and Freshman Summer Transition Program
- Continuous recovery of students who have previously dropped out
Student Intervention Specialists
Each WCPS secondary school is staffed with a Student Intervention Specialist (SIS). The SIS serves as a graduation coach whose sole purpose is to support students who face obstacles to school success and may be at-risk of dropping out.
To help students build confidence and success, Student Intervention Specialists:
- Build relationships with students and families
- Mentor and advocate
- Promote student self-advocacy and engagement in school
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators and other school staff
- Make referral to outside resources to help strengthen students and families
- Guide students in developing a vision for their future, by helping students to:
- Cultivate community contacts
- Participate in job shadowing, internships and summer employment
- Set post-graduation goals which include advanced training, employment and further education
Who is eligible to receive the support of a Student Intervention Specialist?
Student Intervention Specialists are a critical member of the school’s Student Support Team where students struggling with school and most at-risk of dropping out are identified using data and referrals. Circumstances which may impact student success include the following issues:
- Attendance
- Family experiencing critical hardship (such as death in the family, change in family dynamic, poverty)
- Multiple course failures in middle and high school
- Family mobility (student enrolled in multiple schools over a period of time)
- Family member dropped out
For additional information, contact the Student Support and Transition Specialist at 301-766-8902.