Get Focused…Stay Focused!™ Initiative
Modeled after The George Washington University’s Freshman Transition Initiative using the
Course
Standards for Freshman Transition Classes, the Santa Barbara, Calif. community has come together to
create an innovative adaptation, the
Dual Enrollment Freshman Transition Project (DEFT).
Following the recommendations in
IES Practice Guide for Dropout Prevention, this whole-school
redesign model meets the six research-based recommendations for programs supporting school
completion.
DEFT is designed to introduce strategies beginning in the 9th grade year and continuing beyond high
school into college as noted in the
What Works Clearinghouse Comparison Chart of Course and Dropout
Recommendations. This is a strong high school to college transition program geared to improve college
preparation of high school students and to improve the success rates of incoming college students. The
DEFT employs a 10-year educational plan that guides students through high school, on to postsecondary
education and training, and into the workforce.
To learn more about the DEFT project, visit
www.getfocusedstayfocused.org.