2023-24 State Policy Report - Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Callum

Covers the 2023-2024 school year policy and outcome updates prepared under C.R.S. 22-14-111, focused on dropout prevention and student re-engagement in Colorado. Summarizes engagement, graduation, and completion metrics and highlights gains after pandemic-era declines, including high four-year graduation and improved attendance and chronic absenteeism indicators. Describes the Colorado Dropout Prevention Framework, reporting requirements, district profile reporting, attendance initiatives, justice-engaged work, and office grant programs. Includes legislative review, policy implications, and end notes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages67

Reading Time2 h 49 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Outcome Overview

Support Efforts

Reporting Requirements

Graduation and Completion Rates

Four-Year Graduation and Completion Rates

Extended-Year Graduation and Completion Rates

Alternative Campuses (AECs), Charter Schools, and Online Schools

Student Engagement

School Attendance

Disipline and Behavior

Stability / Mobility

Dropout Rates

Student Re-engagement

Legislative Review

Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement Office Grants

DPSR Program Evaluation

Conclusion

2023-24 State Policy Report: Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement Submitted to: Office of the Governor Colorado State Board of Education Colorado House Education Committee Colorado Senate Education Committee This report was prepared pursuant to C.R.S. 22-14-111 and covers the 2023-2024 school year. It was prepared by the following staff from the Colorado Department of Education’s Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement: Bonnie E. Brett, Ph.D. Research and Evaluation Consultant; [Brett_B@cde.state.co. us](Brett_B@cde.state.co. us) Jewel Sale Data Consultant-School Climate and Engagement; [Sale_J@cde.state.co. us](Sale_J@cde.state.co. us) Johann Liljengren Director; Li[ljengren_J@cde.state.co. us](ljengren_J@cde.state.co. us) May 2025 Division of Student Pathways Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement 201 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80203 Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Outcome Overview 3 Support Efforts 4 Reporting Requirements 5 Graduation and Completion Rates 6 Four-Year Graduation and Completion Rates 6 Extended-Year Graduation and Completion Rates 12 Alternative Campuses (AECs), Charter Schools, and Online Schools 17 Student Engagement 19 School Attendance 19 Disipline and Behavior 27 Stability / Mobility 32 Dropout Rates 34 AECs, Charter Schools, and Online Schools 40 Student Re-engagement 40 Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement 41 The Colorado Dropout Prevention Framework 41 District Profile Reports 42 Every School Day Matters! Attendance Campaign 43 Justice Engaged Work Group 43 Other Dropout Prevention Initiatives 44 Legislative Review 45 Policy and Practice Implications 47 Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement Office Grants 49 DPSR Program Evaluation 49 Expelled and At-Risk Student Services (EARSS) grant program 52 Student Re-engagement Grant Program 53 Ninth Grade Success Grant Program 56 Educational Stability Grant Program 62 Conclusion 65 End Notes 67 Executive Summary The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has identified four priority areas within its Strategic Plan that are listed below. These guide the work of the department in its role to support implementation of state education statute and be responsive to district, school, and student need. • Increase student engagement • Accelerate student outcomes • Strengthen the educator workforce • Provide operational excellence This report provides an overview of key metrics and initiatives facilitated and supported by CDE’s Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement office. The office’s focus is on organizing support and information that can lead to improvements in student engagement and long-term graduation and completion outcomes. Outcome Overview Outcome data from the 2023-2024 school year show improvement across metrics for engagement, graduation, and completion, including the highest graduation and completion rates in Colorado history. These improvements continue a trend seen in the 2022-23 school year after declines seen in many metrics during the pandemic. The 2023-24 school year data shows: • A 4-year graduation rate of 84.2 percent, which is a 1.1 percentage point and 1,506 student increase from the previous year and an 11.8 percentage point increase from 2009-2010 • An increase of the most recent 5-and 6-year graduation rates over the year prior • A decrease in the 7-year rate for students anticipated to graduate in 2021 (87.1 percent) from the previous year. This group of anticipated graduates had lower 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year rates compared to the previous cohort and seems to be the most impacted by the pandemic • Some narrowing of gaps between student groups in 4-year graduation rates, although gaps persist between the state rate for all students and those students in specialized instructional programs or service types and race and ethnicity. For ex

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the 2023-24 State Policy Report on dropout prevention?

It provides an overview of key metrics and initiatives supported by Colorado’s Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement, focusing on improving student engagement and long-term graduation and completion outcomes.

What graduation and completion outcomes improved during the 2023-2024 school year?

The report highlights a four-year graduation rate of 84.2%, improvement in more recent 5- and 6-year graduation rates, and notes a decrease in the 7-year rate for students anticipated to graduate in 2021.

Which engagement-related indicators improved, and what still remains a challenge?

The report states lower dropout rates and improvements in attendance and chronic absenteeism, while also noting that discipline and behavior trend comparisons are more complex and that chronic absenteeism remains above pre-pandemic levels.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Callum