Beginning July 1, 2009, students will be required to stay in school until they reach the age of 18. This new law has sparked a statewide conversation regarding the best way to serve at-risk students.

This fall, the Department of Education will host one-day workshops designed to help districts find better ways to engage at-risk students. "Effective Strategies to Keep Kids in School" will be held in Sioux Falls on Sept. 22 and Rapid City on Sept. 24. Franklin Schargel, a former school administrator and noted author on reducing drop-out rates, will share practical information – with an emphasis on effective strategies for improving graduation rates.

The workshops will offer a basic overview of graduation issues and an opportunity to assess your district’s efforts to increase graduation rates. Districts that are not meeting state graduation rate targets are strongly encouraged to attend. Administrators, board members, counselors, special education staff, middle school and high school teachers, employers, and other stakeholders all play important roles in increasing graduation rates. Districts are encouraged to send a team of participants where possible.

Both workshops will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a 90-minute break for lunch. Both are FREE. The Sioux Falls workshop will be held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center (attached to the Sioux Falls Arena). The Rapid City workshop will be held at the Rapid City Ramkota Convention Center.

To register, visit the department’s professional development Web site at http://www.doe.sd.gov/southdakotapd/.