School dropout is a widespread and serious problem in the United States, with enormous consequences for students who choose its path. ICF International has extensive experience in the conduct of dropout prevention research, as well as in helping policymakers distill research into meaningful findings for policy and practice.
Many factors contribute to students dropping out of school, including poverty, low literacy and achievement levels, parenting responsibilities, and the need to earn money through employment. In areas such as dropout prevention, where students experience multiple challenges and multiple pathways to dropping out of school, innovative research is needed to understand both the complexities behind—and solutions to—the problem.
ICF is a leader in mixed-methods research, which brings together both quantitative and qualitative data to address complex social issues. ICF understands the nuances behind these issues, and also that research is only valuable if the results can be put into action by policymakers and practitioners.