Six Pillars of Effective Dropout Prevention and Recovery: An Assessment of Current State Policy and How to Improve It

This report identifies six model policy elements that frame a sound legislative strategy for dropout prevention and recovery, and it assesses the extent to which recent state policy aligns with these model elements. Overall, 36 states and the District of Columbia have enacted new dropout legislation since 2002. While some states have moved toward adopting comprehensive dropout prevention and recovery policies, nearly all of them have a long way to go. Nearly one-third of the nation — 14 states — have enacted no new laws aimed at increasing graduation rates in the past eight years.