Funding Early Warning Systems in High Schools
Updated August 2024. Original guide launched July 2021.
Districts across the country are implementing a growing practice called Early Warning Systems (EWS) that can help identify high school students who need additional support to reach graduation. Researchers found that “ABCs” (absenteeism, behavior referrals, and course failure) are highly predictive early warning indicators of students dropping out.
Our downloadable guide explains how school district leaders can improve student outcomes by strategically organizing resources around Early Warning Systems in high schools to address these ABCs.
What Are Early Warning Systems in Education?
Schools that implement Early Warning Systems follow a methodical process that uses local, historical student data and research-based early-warning indicators to accurately identify students who are in danger of not achieving key educational milestones, such as on-time graduation. Leaders then match students with appropriate interventions and monitor their progress to adapt support over time.
What Are the Benefits of Implementing Early Warning Systems in High Schools?
Early Warning Systems in high schools help district leaders direct scarce resources where they’re needed most by leveraging methodological processes, promoting up-to-date data gathering and analysis, and focusing intervention efforts.
Download Our Guide on Early Warning Systems in Education to:
- Better understand Early Warning Systems and their research-backed benefits.
- Explore how to invest sustainably in Early Warning Systems.
- Learn how to schedule and staff Early Warning Systems to meet the scale of your student need.
- Understand the common pitfalls and district-level enabling conditions necessary to monitor and implement Early Warning Systems successfully.
- Discover how to continuously improve your Early Warning Systems strategy so that it’s effective and sustainable in the long term.
Additional Tools and Resources on Early Warning Systems
Video: Targeted Intervention at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School
Learn how one Boston high school catches students up and puts them on track for college and career through a flexible schedule that allows space for intervention.
Targeted Academic Supports Guidebook
This downloadable guide explains how high school leaders can effectively design and strategically invest in academic supports with long-term sustainability in mind.
Early Warning Systems Cost Calculator
Use this tool to see how your district can budget for early warning systems.