Believing in students is what's behind the best alternative schools. Profiles of various alternative education programs reveal stringent requirements for students' self-discipline and responsibility for learning. Some districts are turning to alternative programs and schools in an effort to keep their regular schools safe. (MLF)

This report of the number and percentage of senior high school students who left school before graduating found that: (1) 7% of the fall 1981 high school enrollment left before the end of the 1981-1982 school year; (2) leavers accounted for 6% from regular high schools enrollment, 51% from continuation high schools, and 7% from other high schools;…

An educational/continuing education program was implemented for single parents/homemakers and pregnant teenagers. The program provided training in parenting skills, childhood growth and development, responsibilities of parenthood, the rights of children, decision-making skills, and vocational guidance and directions. Increased opportunity was…

Identifies basic issues relevant to the development of dropout prevention programs. Considers (1) risk factors leading to dropout, (2) nine possible target groups for dropout intervention, and (3) four possible constraints (cost, burden, directions, and laws) that will influence the consideration and selection of new policies or programs. (IW)

Although successful dropout assistance programs depend on effective implementation, casework, and long-term followup activities, the literature only occasionally addresses these practices. This article reviews data collection problems, major risk factors, reforms aimed at actual and potential dropouts, and alternative school programs. Second…

A risk assessment instrument for identifying potential dropouts at the middle and high school levels and an accompanying explanation of the instrument are provided in this document. The instrument provides a checklist of 21 criteria; the more criteria the student meets, the greater his risk of dropping out. Criteria include age in comparison to…

This monograph characterizes the profession of school psychology, describes the roles of school psychologists in the Eugene (Oregon) Public Schools, and profiles Patricia Glassow, recently named School Psychologist of the Year by the Oregon School Psychologists Association. Among those interviewed were the school superintendent, the director of…

This manual presents a viable school program for grades K-12 to help reduce the number of school dropouts. Characteristics of potential dropouts and alternative programs to meet the needs of these students are given. Although this manual is divided into sections for elementary (K-6) and secondary (7-12) school students, many of the ideas presented…

This booklet provides the knowledge and tools college and university students and their professors need to develop a partnership with organizations that work with children who are potential dropouts. Section 1 looks at childhood in the 1990s and section 2 introduces partners who can help potential dropouts. Section 3 considers issues related to…

Answers to questions most often asked about the second National Education Goal are provided in this document. Goal 2 states that "by the year 2000, the high school graduation rate will increase to 90 percent." Among the areas covered are school strategies to improve graduation rates, community and business roles, incentives to stay in…

Using the state-mandated Texas at-risk criteria to identify students at-risk for dropping out, the Austin (Texas) Independent School District (AISD) followed those students for three years to determine the accuracy of the mandated state criteria. The study focuses on the classification and follow-up of 25,587 students in 1987-88, 25,292 students…

In fall 1985, a study was conducted at Broome Community College (BCC) in Binghamton, New York, to determine whether students who added a class on or after the first class meeting (i.e., late admits) were at greater risk of withdrawing or failing than students who registered on time (i.e., regular admits). Final grades awarded to students in ENG…

This document was prepared to aid Rhode Island schools in dealing with youth at risk of school failure. It defines at-risk students as young people who in danger of not completing school and notes that in Rhode Island over 25% of students who enter school fail to graduate from high school. It stresses the need for schools and communities to focus…

This guidebook is part of a series of program materials for a school-based intervention process to help at-risk students stay in school. It is intended for participating adults and begins by giving them a quick look at the extent of the dropout problem nationwide. The booklet goes on to provide a discussion of the basic steps of the helping…

This guidebook is part of a series of program materials for a school-based intervention process to help at-risk students stay in school. An introduction sets forth the responsibilities of the adminstrator/planner. The rest of the booklet contains suggestions for ways to carry out the administrator/planner role creatively and effectively. The…