This position paper was written to answer a series of basic questions frequently asked about attrition and retention at Empire State College (ESC), New York. The questions addressed in the report are: (1) What is the attrition rate at ESC? (2) How does ESC's attrition rate compare to other colleges? (3) Who are the leavers? (4) When does attrition…

Students leave school for many reasons. Pregnancy, family circumstances, economic necessities, substance abuse, lack of academic success, or disciplinary actions can influence a young person's decision to quit school. There is no single solution to the dropout crisis. Just as there are a variety of causes behind a student's decision to drop out of…

This handbook is intended as a practical guide for adult basic education (ABE) directors, counselors, and faculty in an effort to increase ABE student retention. Following a literature review and description of the research problem, part I contains data obtained from the four major surveys administered during a project that investigated the causes…

Discouraged learners are students who could succeed academically but who, for a variety of reasons, do not believe they are able to do so and fail. The article provides case studies and suggests books for further reading. It offers techniques to encourage, teach, and involve discouraged learners. (JL)

Discusses the high school dropout problem, focusing on young people's reasons for leaving school and schools' efforts to retain them. Recommends more effective primary education, computer programs to identify youth at risk, and coalitions of schools, businesses, and government agencies to pair learning and work experience. Cites 15 references.…

This article describes a pilot program to identify students with irregular attendance and to coordinate follow-up services for them. (SJL)

A Texas school district near El Paso and the Mexican border has established the Student Entrepreneur Center: a K-12 program stressing hands-on application of basic business principles. The district is transforming a 16-acre site into a combination learning center and tourist destination. (MLF)

Explains how teachers and counselors can use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (a self-reporting assessment tool based on Jungian personality-type theory) to help retain high-risk students. Reviews the information MBTI scores reveal about student interest, application/persistence, aptitude, learning type, most appropriate instructional method,…

Enrollment management differs from admissions in its concern for students at every stage of their association with the college. As such, it must address retention issues. Academic advising can contribute to improved retention, but to be effective it must be appropriate. A number of advising models are currently in use. (MSE)

This manual, developed in an effort to take the mysticism out of program evaluation, discusses six phases of the program evaluation process. The introduction discusses reasons for evaluation, process and outcome evaluation, the purpose of the handbook, the evaluation process, and the Sequoia United School District Dropout Prevention Program. Phase…

This booklet is an instruction manual for those using the FOCUS database, an information source on dropout prevention of the National Dropout Prevention Center. An introduction lists the FOCUS files, which include Program Profiles, Calendar of Events, Resource Materials Library, Organizations, and Consultants and Speakers. Also given is the…

A summary of research on effective school characteristics as they relate to dropout prevention and recovery is presented in order to inform practitioners of the literature in this area. The summary takes the form of discussions of the following research findings: (1) there are important similarities between effective schools and successful dropout…

This handbook offers a variety of prevention and therapeutic services that can be tailored to meet the unique characteristics of a school and community. In section 1, an overview of the dropout problem and the comprehensive dropout prevention strategy are presented. In section 2, on needs assessment, data collection, objective selection, and…

This study examined official records on retention from the Department of Education to ascertain national and state status and trends of retention/dropouts. The records showed that since 1983 the retention rate has peaked and is beginning to decline. In this investigation of the dropout situation in Indiana, questionnaires were administered to and…

At Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), a proactive, "intrusive" approach to counseling has been developed to identify students who may be at the point of dropping out of classes due to anxiety and frustration. Under this approach, termed the Early Alert Referral System, the advisor takes responsibility for establishing contact with the…