In most districts across the country, high school dropouts have said their final farewells to education. But in the Albuquerque School District, an innovative program offers and enforces a second chance for these youth. Dropout Re-engagement was developed to provide guidance and access by re-engaging and monitoring dropouts through graduation. The program recruits dropouts, develops individual plans for each student and guides the student through that plan until graduation.

Any student who has dropped out of the Albuquerque system in 9th through 12th grade is eligible for the program. In its first session, begun in August 2002, recruitment efforts were necessary. Now school referrals and the program’s popularity supply the word of mouth that draws individuals to the program.

Once the student is identified and located, a meeting is scheduled with the program representative, the student, and the student’s family if he or she is a minor. The group evaluates transcripts and collaboratively develops a “student education plan” or (SEP). Student profile information, reasons for dropping out, past interventions, short and long term education and career goals, placement recommendations and required interventions are all included. Other issues, such as alcohol and drug abuse, anger management, mental health needs, counseling services and social services are discussed during the meeting.

The Dropout Re-engagement Program utilizes various placement options. The Albuquerque School District has 11 comprehensive high schools, 26 middle level schools, 9 alternative schools, and 12 charter schools that present a variety of options for placement. An evening computer training program, Novanet, various community programs and programs at the Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute and the University of New Mexico provide additional opportunities for placement.

Once the students have been placed, enrollment verification and progress are monitored one month after placement, at the end of 9 weeks, at the end of the semester and at the end of each additional semester through graduation or GED completion.

As of November 20, 2002, 103 students have been placed; one senior has graduated and five to ten students are expected to finish their plans by May 2003.

Contact:

Ross Hague
Director
Dropout Re-engagement Program

Albuquerque Public Schools
725 University SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Phone: (505) 842-4588
Fax: (505)842-3734

E-mail: hague@aps.edu