Creative’s School Dropout Prevention Pilot program designed, implemented and assessed interventions in Timor Leste, Cambodia, India and Tajikistan. It was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
In Timor-Leste, it used two interventions in 97 schools to determine the best way to keep children in class. An Early Warning System used school data to identify students who are at-risk of dropping out. It improved the ability of schools to address the needs of at-risk students through case management. It also strengthened the school-household partnership by showing teachers and parents how valuable staying in school can be for their children, thus improving both attendance and performance.
An after-school support program offered structured extra-curricular activities that foster cooperative learning, self-confidence and skill development. It engaged teachers and community members to lead the enrichment activities and take active roles in their children’s education.
Nearly 500 teachers and school directors, as well as more than 900 community group members, were trained to implement the program, reaching 11,700 students in 97 schools. Ninety-four schools that did not receive the intervention will serve as a control group for assessing the program’s impact.
