Evidence shows little benefit from state dropout grants

Just 14 of 100 schools show substantially improved dropout, graduation numbers

RALEIGH -- Only 14 of the 100 North Carolina schools served by state dropout prevention grant recipients saw substantial improvement in dropout and graduation rates from 2006-07 to 2007-08. Those numbers suggest the grants made little impact, according to a new John Locke Foundation Spotlight report.

Key facts:

* Only 14 of the 100 schools that received services from dropout prevention grant recipients had substantially lower dropout rates and higher graduation rates from the 2006-07 to the 2007-08 school year.


* Of the five types of recipients awarded grants, grants to non-profit organizations appeared to have the most success.


* Further empirical research is required to get a complete picture of the relationship, if any, between dropout prevention grants and dropout rates.

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