PAR Advantage Overview
"The PAR Advantage . . .
A dropout early warning system (DEWS) with research-based solutions and a system for value-added assessment"
The purpose of this paper is to introduce schools, districts, and communities to a systemic renewal process geared towards turning around low-performing schools as well as improving graduation rates for all schools. Although the National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC) has been successfully engaged in such endeavors for more than two decades, the initial Performance Assessment and Review (PAR) process has been enhanced to give schools and communities an Advantage in combating the dropout problem. By incorporating a dropout early warning system within its full-scale data management system, Predictive Risk Index Assessment System (PRIAS), and combining it with a comprehensive qualitative review process-thereby creating PAR Advantage-dropout prevention and school improvement efforts will be upgraded to achieve greater results efficiently and more cost effectively.
