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Simon Fraser University
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Education
374-3?
Special Topics: Developing Strategies for "Dropout" Prevention: Social and
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Educational Considerations?
(T3.00)?
(Cat
#48214)
Summer Session, 1993
(July 19-28)
Monday through Wednesday
8:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Location: Kelowna
Instructor: L. Prupas
PREREQUISITE:
EDUC 401/402 and certified practising teacher. Students may take no more than
three Tr-University courses toward a degree or diploma.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to provide participants with an overview of the "dropout" problem through
engagement in critical examination of current research of major issues, including characteristics of
"dropouts" and students at risk of dropping out, and of prevention/ intervention approaches. The course
is also designed to help participants develop plans for local stay-in-school initiatives.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
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To provide participants with a basic understanding of the "dropout" issue.
- To conduct critical analyses of research that deals with definitions, broad intervention/ prevention
approaches and specific ingredients of stay-in-school initiatives.
To develop plans and approaches for implementation of stay-in-school initiatives at the local
level.
Through a review of literature, participants will familiarize themselves with psychological and
sociological theories about sources of the dropout problem. Using one of these theories, they will write
an essay to critically evaluate a provincial stay-in-school initiative. In small groups, participants
will design a theoretically sound stay-in-school initiative and will present their design to the whole
class. They will also be expected to write a brief paper of their own describing this initiative.
Pre-course reading assignments are intended to help participants build understandings about
individuals affected by the dropout problem as well as local resources available to them in combatting
the problem. A dialectical notebook, to be kept throughout the course, will afford participants the
opportunity to reflect on their learnings as well as whatever personal involvement they may have
with the issue of dropping out.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Pre-course Requirements
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Grading
- Pre-course reading
- Interview with one of the following
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5% ?
- Dropout
- School or district administrator concerning local stay-in-school initiatives
- Program Director of an intervention/prevention program
- Personal Profile
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10% ?
(please turn over)
Course Requirements ?
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Grading ?
- Individual paper that is a critical analysis of a dropout intervention/prevention approach 35%
- Participation in a small group project aimed at designing a local stay-in-school plan
Group presentation of this project
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15%
Individual summary of the project
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15%
- Dialectical notebook
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20%
- At least 80% attendance ?
P/F
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REQUIRED PRE-READING
A package of pre-readings will be sent to students prior to the beginning of classes. Students will be
charged for the cost of course materials. Payment will be collected at the first class.
