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Increasing Graduation Rates

Increasing Graduation Rates and Decreasing Dropout Rates of Students with Disabilities

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004 requires states to develop a State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). In collaboration with multiple stakeholders, Pennsylvania selected increasing the graduation rate for students with disabilities as its focus. The BSE identified seven coherent improvement strategies that lead to higher graduation rates.

The BSE is partnering with a number of Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to implement its SSIP. High quality training and technical assistance is being offered to schools through this partnership and lessons learned are being shared with all LEAs in the commonwealth. BSE is also collaborating with the federally funded Community Parent Resource Center, Hispanos Unidos para Niños Excepcionales (HUNE). Community and mentoring materials and resources developed through this partnership are being shared with other organizations.

Featured Videos / Presentations

Student Voices: Are you on track to graduate?

This video highlights several high school students who are involved with the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) to increase graduation rates and decrease dropout rates. They share their challenges and how to overcome them in order graduate. In addition, they note their goals after graduation and a checklist is provided to guide and encourage students to stay on track in order to complete school.


 

Resources

CAPS: Are you on-track to graduate? Check your A-B-Cs! CAPS: Are you on-track to graduate? Check your A-B-Cs! This double-sided publication in English and Spanish was designed for and with students, including students with disabilities. It provides strategies to increase their chances of graduating from high school and decrease their chances of dropping out.
CAPS: Helping Students Succeed and Graduate From High School - Strategies for Families CAPS: Helping Students Succeed and Graduate From High School - Strategies for Families This fact sheet provides strategies for families to help students succeed and graduate from high school. Also available in Spanish.
CAPS: Helping Students Succeed and Graduate From High School - Strategies for Families (Spanish) CAPS: Helping Students Succeed and Graduate From High School - Strategies for Families (Spanish) (Spanish Version) This fact sheet provides strategies for families to help students succeed and graduate from high school. Also available in English.
CAPS: How Can Families Support Students to Graduate? Check the A-B-Cs! CAPS: How Can Families Support Students to Graduate? Check the A-B-Cs!

This double-sided publication in English and Spanish was designed for families, including families of students with disabilities. It provides strategies to increase students' chances of graduating from high school and decrease their chances of dropping out.
State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP): Coherent Improvement Strategies State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP): Coherent Improvement Strategies IDEA 2004 requires states to implement the requirements and purposes of the Act and improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Within the Act, states must develop a State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP). Pennsylvania’s plan is to systematically increase the graduation rate for students with disabilities. The focus is on the adoption and implementation of innovative evidence-based practices, otherwise referred to as Coherent Improvement Strategies.
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Consultants

- Office Lead
- State Lead
Amira Hill-Yancy PaTTAN - EAST
Laura Moran PaTTAN - CENTRAL
Tara Russo PaTTAN - CENTRAL
Lisa Russo PaTTAN - EAST
Cecil Crouch PaTTAN - WEST
Jeff Mathieson PaTTAN - WEST
Maria Ronneburger PaTTAN - CENTRAL
Amanda Miller PaTTAN - CENTRAL