This seven-part guide provides a framework for use in planning, developing, and implementing an evaluation for a tutoring program. Part I provides a brief introduction to the value of evaluating a tutoring program. Part II advises readers first to determine the purpose of their evaluation and the kinds of information to be examined, to consider…

The Sioux City Community Schools Office of Indian Education provides American Indian students with tutoring services through funds from Title V, Part C of the Indian Education Act of 1988 and the Johnson-O'Malley programs. The goal is to reduce the high dropout rate among Indian youth. This tutor handbook contains introductory information for the…

Guidelines for preventing school failure include: (1) recognize early signs of potential failure; (2) build student motivation; (3) utilize students' developmental paths; (4) design focused and interesting curriculum activities; and (5) select motivating management and teaching strategies. (Contains references.) (DB)

Strategies for preventing or responding to truancy and dropping out of school are offered in this resource paper. The document's first few pages draw on statistics from around the United States to illustrate the magnitude of the problem in terms of both its scope and its consequences. The paper then turns to its major focus, strategies to increase…

Academic failure must be seen as a failure by school and student together. By discarding faith in the "average needs" of the "average child" and instead accepting diversity in learning styles (both abstract and concrete, sequential and random), teachers can approach school failure from a problem-solving perspective. (PB)

This paper is about assisting teachers to identify and help to change and retain deviant students. The major focus is on the instruction and training of teachers on how alcohol and drugs affect a person's body and behavior, and the effective methods for helping to change that behavior. In order to accomplish this objective, the paper is divided…

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)

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,…

This article discusses school-related indicators among learning-disabled adolescents at risk of dropping out and potential interventions. Absenteeism, discipline problems, low achievement, and grades are considered as early warning signals and appropriate/effective teacher responses reviewed. Findings indicate that at-risk students can be…

About one in four students who enter high school will not graduate. Numerous dropout-prevention programs have been implemented nationwide in the past decade to increase the high school graduation rate. This growth in programs has made it more difficult for educators to determine the effectiveness of the many alternatives. This guide is designed to…

An effective academic advising system can assist in the retention of two-year college students; however, the institution and its faculty must be committed to providing such a system. Establishing a successful advising system would require the following: (1) a clear distinction must be made between academic advising and course scheduling; (2)…

The Teacher Alert System was designed in Alberta, Canada, for classroom teachers and school personnel concerned about the needs of "at risk" students. The guide can assist in the identification, assessment, and intervention process for children who have special needs. The student's problems may be related to learning, emotions, or…

Suggests ways that teachers can identify students with mild learning problems, determine the assistance the students require, and alter their own teaching style to accommodate the students' learning needs. Recommends instructional techniques to address poor organizational skills, poor writing skills, long- or short-term memory problems, and…

What music teachers can do to prevent students from dropping out of band is discussed. Suggestions include talking with the child, working with other teachers, getting support from parents, and taking a good look at the music program itself. (RM)