Marine training and the Dropout Crisis

When I was training as a US Marine officer in Quantico, Virginia in the mid-1980s, our instructors imparted a lesson that, while culturally characteristic of that fighting organization, has stuck with me to this day. When faced with almost any sort of a tactical or operational challenge, the answer is to attack. And not just point at the enemy and shoot, but aggressively attack with a vengeance and an uncompromising spirit. We need to bring that same ethos to bear on the dropout epidemic. Attack, attack and attack again. This bias for action must define our respond or we will lose another generation while we study, dither and debate.

West Virginia Takes New Approach to Truancy Deterence

A lot of municipalities and states threaten to take driver's licenses away from truant. I legislator in West Virginia has now proposed taking the license away from the parents of those truants! It certainly shows that she is serious about this serious epidemic.

Although it sounds draconian, innovation in the face of social challenge should always be encouraged.

Mentoring Teens Who are At Risk of Dropping Out

My recent article on the subject.

Arizona Dropout Prevention Conference

Arizona will host a dropout prevention conference May 2-3 in Phoenix.

Muskogee is GREAT

I read that Muskogee, Oklahoma is instituting an innovative program to combat the proliferation of gangs called GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training). It certainly seems like the type of program that can have a very positive impact on the community.

I can't help but wonder how much more effective a program like that might be if it added phone based mentor/coaches like we have in the Right Back on Track program here at the Dropout & Truancy Prevention Network. The structure of geo-location technology and the empathy of a nonjudgmental and supportive mentor/coach would be a powerful addition.

California is serious about truancy

In California, a parent can be fined up to $2000 if his or her child is found to be truant more than 10% of the time. People are getting serious about this very large problem in the Golden State.

Sacramento Understands Truancy Impact

Sacramento understands the direct financial cost as well as the indirect social cost of truancy. See this article.