Assessment of the Impact of Senate Bill 18(2007) on High School Dropout in New Hampshire: A Theory of Change
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Authors
Gall , Amy
Date
2023-08-31
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF
Amy E. Gall for the degree of Doctor of Education
Presented on July 26, 2023
Title: Assessment of the Impact of Senate Bill 18(2007) on High School Dropout
in New Hampshire: A Theory of Change
Abstract approved:
July 31, 2023
Annette M. Holba, PhD, Dissertation Chair
There are extensive negative generationally perpetuating consequences related to high
school dropout including economic, health, relationship, parenting, criminal justice,
community engagement, tax revenue, and public welfare effects which disproportionately
impact minority groups. In 2007 the New Hampshire legislature enacted Senate Bill 18,
a statewide dropout prevention measure which effectively raised the compulsory school
attendance age from 16 to 18 and created alternative learning plans for students who
would otherwise drop out. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of that
policy change, using a Theory of Change to compare measurable outcomes with the
intentions of policymakers who worked to enact the change. Empirical evidence indicated
that raising the compulsory school attendance age had mixed and sometimes ambiguous
results that could lead to either increasing or decreasing dropout rates. This study found
that raising the compulsory school attendance age in New Hampshire did not have much
effect on dropout and completion rates, as state data reports demonstrated these rates
were already improving before passage and implementation of SB18(2007) and
continued to do so at analogous rates afterward. A survey of school districts revealed that
many districts are offering a wide range of dropout prevention services and programs.