School Improvement

Dropout Prevention and Persistence to Graduation

Published: 7/16/2026 2:53 PM

​​This website provides​ a variety of supports to schools and districts to identify students who may be off-track for postsecondary readiness​, promotion, and/or on-time graduation and provide interventions to support students until they earn a diploma. ​KDE's Persistence to Graduation team provides technical assistance and professional learning grounded in evidence, mindful communication, and inclusivity for school communities as they build healthy climate and cultures that support equity for all students as they persist towards academic and social success.  ​

​Early Warning Tool

Early Warning is a data mining tool available in Infinite Campus (IC) that uses student level data to enable district and school personnel to better understand what is contributing to each student’s risk of dropping out, and most importantly, what areas of intervention might yield the greatest impact on their journey towards graduation. 

This tool uses statistical modeling to measure a student’s dropout risk based on students who previously dropped out from the same school. Every student is assigned a GRAD (Graduation-Related Analytic Data) Score based on a multitude of changing data points such as attendance, behavior, grades, enrollment history, demographics, test scores, grades, guardian involvement, household demographics, school type, and more. A visual dashboard allows users to view the entire school and view each individual student score in relation to other students in the school. Within the Early Warning tool, users can filter, utilize ad-hoc groups, and create a watch list of students. Analysis can be generated anytime and by multiple users.​

​Insights

Insights​​ is a data visualization dashboard available in IC that provides views of student assessments, attendance, behavior, classroom performance, and stability. The views can be filtered by student groups and drilling down to student level details.

Chronic Absenteeism

Understanding what the barriers are to student attendance and implementing strategies to address absenteeism​.​ Visit KDE's Attendance Matters! website​​ for additional information and resources.

Dropout Prevention and Reengagement Resources

Dropout Prevention Needs Assessment Checklist​ is a checklist to help districts and schools self-assess their current strengths and areas for growth to effectively prevent student dropouts.​

Futuriti How Kentuckians Find their Future​ is a website that can help students find career paths that match their interests and skills.​

Connect with the National League of Cities Reconnecting Opportunities Youth and Young Adults website​ to access the latest news, resources and research for supporting and leading student reengagement efforts.

Supporting Transient Student Credit Accumulation​​

​​Don't Quit on Me YouTube Video​

​National Dropout Prevention Center Effective Strategies​ for Dropout Prevention

​​​KDE Websites Related to Graduation

Request for Assistance and/or Training

Schools and districts seeking assistance from the Division of Student Success can complete the Request for Assistance and/or​ Training​ form. A program consultant will respond in a timely fashion when the request has been submitted.​​​​​​​​

Statutes

KRS 158.145 - Findings and declarations on school dropout rate

KRS 156.146​ - Establishment of strategy to address school dropout problem

KRS 159.010 - Age limits for compulsory attendance - notification and counseling prior to withdrawal - encouragement to reenroll after withdrawal

KRS 159.051​- No Pass/No Drive

KRS 159.030​ - Exemptions from compulsory attendance

Related Resources

What Works Clearinghouse - Dropout Prevention

Attendance Works

Trauma Sensitive Schools

Youth Mental Health First Aid​​

Sources of Strength


​​Christina Watford
Office of Continuous Improvement and Support
Division of Student Success
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4772 Ext. 4069
Fax (502) 564-7820