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Montana Early Warning System for Dropout Prevention: Data Use, Mediating Factors, and Impact

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Title: Montana Early Warning System for Dropout Prevention: Data Use, Mediating Factors, and Impact
Language: English
Authors: Robin Clausen (ORCID 0009-0005-4212-0224), Christiana Stoddard, Andrew Hill (ORCID 0000-0001-7630-6151)
Source: Education Policy Analysis Archives. 2026 34(7).
Availability: Colleges of Education at Arizona State University and the University of South Florida. c/o Editor, USF EDU162, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-5650. Tel: 813-974-3400; Fax: 813-974-3826; Web site: https://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/epaa
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 30
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Descriptors: Dropout Prevention, Graduation Rate, School Districts, Data Use, Program Implementation, Program Effectiveness, Educational Policy, Administrator Attitudes, School Administration, School Policy, State Programs, Institutional Characteristics
Geographic Terms: Montana
ISSN: 1068-2341
Abstract: Early warning systems (EWSs)--predictive analytics used in dropout prevention--are now widespread and embedded in many student information systems and statewide longitudinal data systems. Few research studies focus on the processes and policies involved in using these kinds of data and how use may relate to graduation rates. In this mixed methods study of the Montana EWS (2012-2020), we assess the role of mediating factors associated with schools' adoption and use of the EWS for dropout prevention. We find that schools used the EWS more intensively based on school officials' vision, their perceived value of the EWS, broader dissemination of the EWS data, and when they placed more emphasis on relationship-building and professional development. We then examine trends in graduation rates in EWS-adopting schools. The results indicate that students in schools that used the EWS more intensively experienced improvements in graduation outcomes relative to students in non-adopting schools or in the same schools who did not receive an EWS analysis.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500545
Database: ERIC
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Robin+Clausen%22">Robin Clausen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4212-0224">0009-0005-4212-0224</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christiana+Stoddard%22">Christiana Stoddard</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Andrew+Hill%22">Andrew Hill</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7630-6151">0000-0001-7630-6151</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Education+Policy+Analysis+Archives%22"><i>Education Policy Analysis Archives</i></searchLink>. 2026 34(7).
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  Data: Colleges of Education at Arizona State University and the University of South Florida. c/o Editor, USF EDU162, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-5650. Tel: 813-974-3400; Fax: 813-974-3826; Web site: https://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/epaa
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Montana%22">Montana</searchLink>
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  Data: Early warning systems (EWSs)--predictive analytics used in dropout prevention--are now widespread and embedded in many student information systems and statewide longitudinal data systems. Few research studies focus on the processes and policies involved in using these kinds of data and how use may relate to graduation rates. In this mixed methods study of the Montana EWS (2012-2020), we assess the role of mediating factors associated with schools' adoption and use of the EWS for dropout prevention. We find that schools used the EWS more intensively based on school officials' vision, their perceived value of the EWS, broader dissemination of the EWS data, and when they placed more emphasis on relationship-building and professional development. We then examine trends in graduation rates in EWS-adopting schools. The results indicate that students in schools that used the EWS more intensively experienced improvements in graduation outcomes relative to students in non-adopting schools or in the same schools who did not receive an EWS analysis.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 30
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Dropout Prevention
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Graduation Rate
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Districts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Data Use
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Implementation
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      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Policy
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      – SubjectFull: Administrator Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: State Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Institutional Characteristics
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      – SubjectFull: Montana
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      – TitleFull: Montana Early Warning System for Dropout Prevention: Data Use, Mediating Factors, and Impact
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