The title of this year's annual report has particular meaning for all of the staff at the Philadelphia Youth Network. The phrase derives from Philadelphia Youth Network's (PYN's) new vision statement, developed as part of its recent strategic planning process, which reads: All of our city's young people take their rightful places as full and…

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…

This study of dropout statistics in West Virginia in school year 1984-85 presents the data in the form of graphs. Each graph is followed by a one sentence conclusion and a question or questions about the dropout problem. Topics and questions covered are as follows: (1) was the dropout involved in Educational Consolidation Improvement Act (ECIA) or…

An inservice program on dropout prevention was initiated in two middle schools in an Arkansas school district. A four-member consultant team was employed to direct 76 participants (middle school teachers, counselors, and administrators) through a series of four group sessions. The 76 participants were divided into four groups organized to include…

Reviews current efforts in the movement for providing parents and students school selection choices. Benefits resulting from school choice include: dropout reduction, increased achievement, more parental involvement, racial integration, and improved morale. Outlines the features of a desirable choice plan and the prospects for development of…

Describes the Family Education Center in Arlington, Virginia. Pregnant students can attend the center until a short time after delivery. They return to their home schools to earn their diplomas, to continue in adult education, or to complete their General Educational Development test. (JOW)

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 the strategic importance of student retention programs and why they are often overlooked in favor of efforts to recruit new students. Presents a program for retraining different groups of students, based on applications of marketing techniques in higher education. (Author/ABB)

Preventing youth from dropping out of school is an enormous challenge for school systems, especially students who display aggressive behaviors at school. While many aspects of managing student behavior in the classroom are challenging, chronic and severe aggressive behaviors are most difficult to manage. The aggressive student is often…

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)

This nation has spent billions of public dollars over the years on dropout prevention, with limited results. Inspired by Eugene Lang's successes, this article proposes that every state create a Student Incentive Plan for economically disadvantaged children designed to mitigate a legacy of poverty and increase these children's financial security…

Argues that creating separate schools for ninth-grade students improves their academic and social transition to high school. Supports argument with research results and personal anecdotes. Describes school district experiences in developing and operating ninth-grade centers. (PKP)

Anti-truancy efforts are not new, but there are powerful new incentives which are now spurring school officials' interest in keeping students in class and their school. Not only does the "No Child Left Behind" Act require schools to boost student attendance and lower dropout rates, schools will never be able to succeed in meeting the law's Annual…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Senators Introduce Graduation Promise Act: New Legislation Would Target Lowest-Performing High Schools; (2)…