Clemson, SC—(October 6, 2015) – The National Dropout Prevention Network (NDPN) and Catapult Learning, Inc., the nation’s largest provider of K−12 contracted instructional services, have formed an alliance to address dropout prevention and recovery strategies. The announcement was made today by Dr. Sandy Addis, Director of the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N), and Stuart Udell, Executive Chairman of Catapult Learning.
Established in 1986 as a national clearinghouse for effective, research-based solutions for engaging students and reducing dropout rates, the NDPC/N has become the country’s leading resource for proven dropout prevention strategies and programs. Its monthly TV webcast, Solutions to the Dropout Crisis, has long been generously supported by Catapult Learning.
Catapult Learning, which partners with more than 500 school districts throughout the U.S. to support individual student needs and build instructional and leadership capacity, also serves those who have struggled to complete their high school education. The company’s tuition-free Catapult Academy program provides an alternative path to graduation for students who have dropped out of high school. The program’s academic and intervention services—including individualized instruction and educational technology—put into practice several key components of the NDPC/N’s 15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention, and students completing the program receive a high school diploma from their home school district.
The NDPN–Catapult Learning partnership will inform stakeholders in both organizations on mutual capabilities in dropout prevention and recovery, and will feature collaborations on regional and national forums and conferences dedicated to sharing effective dropout reduction strategies, and work to improve student outcomes toward graduation.
“The NDPC/N and Catapult share a common goal and mission in dropout prevention and recovery, as both organizations work to ensure that every student graduates from high school prepared for the opportunities that await them,” stated Udell. “We’re excited to kick off our partnership as participants in the Network’s national conference, and we look forward to future collaborations focused on improving opportunities for our young people to succeed in school and beyond.”
Udell will be one of three panelists conducting the workshop Dropout Recovery: Creating Effective Partnerships to Ensure Student Success during the 2015 National Dropout Prevention Network Conference on October 25–28, 2015, at the Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. Udell’s workshop is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, October 26, in the hotel’s Executive Salon 4.
“We are tremendously pleased to have educators from Catapult Learning as presenters at our upcoming conference, and to have them allied with us in the national effort to combat dropout and increase graduation rates,” said Addis. “Our partnership represents an ongoing commitment to bring all the resources possible in ensuring that students graduate from high school having had all the supports necessary to succeed.”