National Dropout Prevention Center

08/27/2026

The official daily agenda for the National Dropout Prevention Conference in Orlando is officially live. Built around practical graduation improvement strategies, the schedule gives your team a clear roadmap of each day's keynotes, breakout blocks, and networking events. Explore the full schedule and coordinate your team's coverage here: https://bit.ly/46sl1uO

08/25/2026

Congratulations to Heron Virtual Academy of South Carolina on earning their Trauma-Skilled School Certification! As the nation’s first virtual school to receive this designation, their educators are setting a powerful example of how trauma-responsive practices can thrive in an online learning environment.

COLUMBIA, SC – On July 24th, 2026, the Heron Virtual Academy of South Carolina was awarded a plaque commemorating their Trauma-Skilled School (TSS) Certification. This certification, earned through a partnership with the National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC), recognizes the school as being tr...

08/19/2026

Sustainable school turnaround doesn't happen by accident—it happens when school and district leaders focus on intentional support, high expectations, and practical systems that keep students on track to graduate.

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Patrice J. Faison to the 36th Annual National Dropout Prevention Conference! She will be sharing real-world strategies and leadership insights honed from years of successful turnaround work in North Carolina classrooms and district leadership.

Bring your campus team to Orlando this October and take home tools you can use right away: bit.ly/4eakZwv

08/18/2026

Supporting students through every hurdle takes proven tools, strong team alignment, and fresh strategies. In this brief message, Dr. Robert Peters shares why , , , and student support staff will find immense value at this October's national conference in Orlando. Register now to join us and bring actionable solutions back to your school: bit.ly/4eakZwv

08/05/2026

Have a strategy, intervention, or framework that is actively helping students stay in school and graduate? We are officially accepting session proposals for the 36th Annual National Dropout Prevention Conference in Orlando! Share your expertise with hundreds of K-12 educators and district leaders nationwide. Apply now: https://bit.ly/3ZEmc7h

08/03/2026

Standard data tracking shows who is chronically absent, but it doesn't explain why students check out. At the 36th Annual National Dropout Prevention Conference, Dr. Gina Upshaw (Director of Academic Supports, The School District of Philadelphia) will share field-tested strategies for using student voice to tackle the root causes of absenteeism. Watch this quick preview to see what your team will take away from her session. Register now to join us in Orlando: bit.ly/4eakZwv

07/30/2026

School districts are being asked to do more with fewer resources—but strategic reinvestment can help leaders focus their time, talent, and funding where they will have the greatest impact. At the 36th Annual National Dropout Prevention Conference, Youngstown City School District Superintendent Jeremy J. Batchelor will lead a session exploring how districts can rethink resource allocation while continuing to improve student outcomes. Register now: bit.ly/4eakZwv

07/28/2026

The challenges facing students are complex, but the right strategies can make a real difference. Join K-12 Professionals from across the country to explore practical approaches for improving attendance, strengthening engagement, building resilience, and keeping more students on track to graduate. Register now: bit.ly/4eakZwv

07/24/2026

After completing the Attendance Improvement Institute, a team from Charleston County School District (CCSD) sat down to share their perspective on the experience. The institute helps district teams examine attendance patterns, understand what is driving absenteeism, and develop a clear plan for improvement. Learn more about bringing it to your district: https://bit.ly/3Th9oUh

07/21/2026

Join Chrystal Hawkins at the 36th Annual National Dropout Prevention Conference as she shares field-tested strategies for building sustainable student support systems. Her session breaks down practical tools that district and campus teams can implement immediately to improve student retention and engagement. Register now to join us in Orlando: https://dropoutprevention.org/ndpc2026/