Maine’s Dropout Prevention Summit

2009What we learned

The New 3 R'sPromising Schools Where

Everyone Matters

The Voice of Maine’s Youth

Don’t call me a dropout

I am not…

• A Deadbeat• A loser• Someone who doesn’t care about

my future• Someone who is going no where

I am a person

Am I still a deadbeat?

• I want to make something of myself• I do have drive• I don’t want to be just a number• Now I know I am going to college• I have a picture with me in my cap and

gown holding my son, in a few years we will take another picture-this time my son will be wearing the cap and gown

The next time you hear the word dropout

• Think of the person• Think of the situation• Do what ever it takes

President Obama

• “… It will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to complete and competitive education, from the day they are born to the day they begin a career. That is a promise we have to make to the children of America.”

Weaving the strands of the summit together• America’s Promise Alliance 5 Promises:

1. Caring Adults2. Healthy Start3. Safe Places in and after school4. Opportunity to give back5. Marketable Skills

• Listen to our youth• Honor youth and families history• Avoid Labels• Connect the dots: Create a plan

Maine joined with 49 other states

• To make school completion a priority. You are part of a national movement to give all students the opportunity to graduate from high school, ready for college and work

• You made history!

Words from the Children’s Cabinet• Multiple Pathways• Drop the Jargon• Cross system data sharing• Focus on strengths and assets of our

youth and their parents/caregivers• Identify barriers (policy and practices)

getting in way of success• Keep pushing us—we will back you up

when its possible

Summit Weaving

• Exhibitors share supportive youth practices

• Participants figure out what Maine has and what it needs

• The Maine Dropout Prevention Plan is committed to paper.

Supportive youth practices in the exhibit area

• Basic Core Strategies• School and Community• Early Interventions• Making the Most of Instruction

It even “snowed” in July

Workgroups identified• Strengths• Needs• Opportunities • Worries

• Top priorities for the state and communities to tackle

• Giving up on students is not a productive solution for anyone-Robert Balfanz

• If we knew what to do to support our youth would we do it?

The Outliers, Malcom Getwell Will we do it?

You answered the call Are you ready to do

•Whatever it takes

• To get to 90% Graduation rate

Next Steps• Go back to your community• Start conversations with youth, parents,

teachers, agencies, businesses• Hold a summit to rally your community to

support positive youth development• Use data to identify priorities• Develop an effective plan• Build strong partnerships to make lasting

change happen

Thank You

• For your passion• For your commitment• For having faith and patience when

the evidence of success takes time to see