Committee on Educational Excellence and Testing Equity, National Research Council, 2001
Although the dropout rate has declined in recent decades, large numbers of kids - most of them Hispanic or black and nearly all of them poor - are still being left behind. The National Research Council's Committee on Educational Excellence and Testing Equity (CEETE) set out to determine what effect the standards movement has had on dropouts and would-be dropouts. Given the large variation among tests, policies and implementation practices among states and districts, CEETE concludes that "the precise relationship between graduation testing and dropping out of school is still in dispute," though they note that "it is clear that retention in grade is a strong predictor of dropping out." CEETE makes a strong case for disaggregating data on student progress leading up to and including exit tests so that at-risk populations can better be monitored. And, of course, they throw their support behind early intervention as the single most effective antidote to dropping out, which, they argue is "a process of gradual disengagement" rather than an "isolated event." Copies of the report, which are $18 each ($14.40 when ordered at http://www.nap.edu), are available from the National Academy Press at 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055; 800-624-6242. The report can also be read for free at http://books.nap.edu/books/0309076021/html/index.html
