Dropout Prevention Best Practices Conference Draws More Than 450 Participants

The Mississippi Department of Education hosted educators, community leaders, and dropout prevention team members from across the state in Jackson on April 16 for the first Best Practices Conference focusing on dropout prevention. Participants shared best practices in programs and initiatives they have implemented to prevent dropouts and improve graduation rates. Video and summaries from the conference will be available soon. See photos below, including keynote speakers Warren, DeShaun and Kenya Martin, attorneys-at-law; and Nancy Loome, The Parents' Campaign; Dr. Sheril Smith, MDE, and Lisa Stewart, State Farm Insurance.

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Save a Seat On the Bus

As an educator or school official, you’re on the front lines in preparing today’s students for future education or employment. You have the power to change lives and shape the future. What can you do?

Engage your students.
Look for ways to motivate learning by making it as fun and interesting as possible.

Engage their parents.
The more involved a parent is in the education of a child, the more likely that child will stay in school. They’re your allies in education, so make sure they’re aware of your challenges and goals in the classroom.

Inject real-world relevance into your instruction.
Point out the lessons your students can learn from history, how useful the knowledge of math or science can be in their daily lives, or how the art and literature of the past constantly informs what they find entertaining today.

Encourage questions and questioning.
What do your students think about what they’re learning?  Ask them. Don’t let them give you the answers they think you’re looking for. Find out what they really think, and encourage them to seek out different points of view.

Instill in your students a passion for learning.
Chances are, you’re passionate about education. Let that passion shine through in everything you do.

When it comes to your focus on education, you’re the expert. And every child deserves a chance to benefit from your expertise. So explore the resources and links on this site to help you understand Mississippi’s dropout problem – and help us reverse the trend.

Click here to find out what other school districts and communities are doing.