The Dropout Prevention Specialist Workbook

Howard M. Blonsky, MSW, LCSW, started his career in mental health environments and has used his experience to make a difference in schools. He served thirty-five years with the San Francisco United Schools District and formerly directed the Schools Partnership Training Institute, a foundation-funded program aimed at uniting communities' greater resources with those of schools. After completing a clinical fellowship in psychiatry, Mr. Blonsky worked to bridge mental health and education in his work with students and families. He has supervised school dropout-prevention programs on the federal and California state levels. He has a passion for improving student attendance and reducing student dropouts.

Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. The Importance and Benefits of Teaming
Chapter 3. Team Structures: The CARE Team, Student Success Team, and the School Attendance Review Team
Chapter 4. Case Management
Chapter 5. School Climate and Culture and its relationship to dropout prevention
Chapter 6. Handling Misbehavior: Building Positive Relationships
Chapter 7. 100% Attendance: Myth or Reality?
Chapter 8. The 9th Grade Experience
Chapter 9. Re-Engaging Out of School Youth
Chapter 10. Communication, Coordination and Collaboration, School and Community Involvement
Chapter 11. Assessing Learning Levels and Help for Students
Chapter 12. Building Comprehensive Dropout Prevention and Recovery/Re-Entry Programs

Concluding Comments
References