Attendance Improvement and Dropout Prevention (A.I./D.P.) Special Education Program 1986-1987 End of the Year Report and Evaluation Summary. OEA Evaluation Report

This report evaluates the special education component of the 1986-87 Attendance Improvement/Dropout Prevention program of the New York City Board of Education. The program was designed to provide intensive services to special education students at risk of dropping out of school. The report presents characteristics of students in the program, examines the degree to which the program guidelines were implemented, analyzes attendance and academic improvement of student participants, and presents conclusions and recommendations. Students selected for the program had excessive absence, low reading level, health problems, or behavior problems. Program services for the 2,333 students in 43 middle schools and citywide sites included a facilitation component to monitor attendance and provide referrals to community agencies; an attendance outreach component to contact parents concerning their children's progress; a guidance/counseling component; a health component; a school linkages component to provide high-school orientations; and an alternative education component to provide work/study experiences, jobs, and life skills training. Staffing consisted of guidance counselors, social workers, teacher trainers, and family workers. Overall, 38 percent of the students improved their attendance; 57 percent of students who failed at least one subject in the previous year showed improvement the following year. (JDD)