Smink leaving the National Dropout Prevention Network

Jay Smink, who has served for more than 23 years as executive director of the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network is leaving his post. 

Smink announced his decision in a letter that accompanied the latest edition of the network's newsletter. 

"I feel privileged to have played a part in guiding the Center's vision and its implementation of successful dropout prevention programs across this county," Smink wrote.

"Over the years, the Center and Network have been a constant source of credible information in such areas as statistics, model dropout prevention programs, and evaluation services."

Smink, who holds a doctorate in educational administration from Pennsylvania State University, has been executive director of the center since 1988.

Taking the reigns will be James J. Appleton, the coordinator of research and evaluation for Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia. Appleton, who holds a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota, has focused his research on student engagement, graduation coaching programs, school initiatives and accountability metrics.