The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), working in collaboration with First Lady Mrs. Susan Corbett’s Opening Doors Initiative, has developed a software tool to help schools identify potential student dropouts based on the research of Dr. Robert Balfanz of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Balfanz’s research noted that attendance, behavior and course grades can be key indicators of students at risk for not graduating. The dashboard provides this information in an easy to read format. In addition, the tool provides a customized catalog of interventions populated by the Local Education Agency (LEA) in partnership with community, regional and state agencies and organizations.

This early warning tool is available at no cost to LEAs. Interested LEAs should complete the Application/Readiness Survey available online at www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/early_warning_system.

LEAs will benefit from partnering with their local Student Information System (SIS) vendor in adopting this tool. There will be SIS vendor webinars starting the week of June 9, 2014. Vendors can register by emailing RA-EDEWSINFO@pa.gov.

For further information please email RA-EDEWSINFO@pa.gov, or visit the webpage www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/early_warning_system.