"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) NCLB Turns Five: Key Players in Reauthorization Process Celebrate Fifth Anniversary of Landmark Education Law, Begin…

"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) See You Next Year: Congress Wraps Up for 2006, Delays Education Funding Decisions to 2007; (2) "Healthier and Wealthier":…

Project RETAIN (Retention in Education Technical Assistance and Information Network) is a Florida project that assists school districts through identification and dissemination of effective practices that keep students with mild disabilities in school. One part of the project was the development of a database of school district efforts in the area…

Many developmental educators have been assigned increased responsibilities for campus-wide enrollment management activities. A new system is needed for educators to more accurately sort through the rapidly growing database of information related to student retention. This will enable the reader to more quickly identify promising practices for…

This report outlines plans to reduce the dropout rate of Detroit (Michigan) Public Schools from the present 45% to 34% by 1990. First, current efforts to improve pupil learning experiences and reduce the dropout rate are listed. These are divided into three types: (1) early interventions (identification of adjustment or learning problems and…

The articles in this booklet offering innovative ideas for school improvement were selected from Prototype pieces published in the Phi Delta Kappan since the fall of 1981. Each of the projects has been successfully implemented in a school and is currently in operation. The first section, "Keeping Kids in School" presents programs involving parents…

The Portland (Oregon) School District defines a school leaver as any student who is registered during the school year, leaves school, does not enter another school in the district that year, and for whom no request for transfer or withdrawal is entered. The district offers an array of programs that address the problem of school leavers. At the…

A micro-level project was developed in Pakistan to decrease the number of school dropouts. The program was tested in two rural primary schools by introducing three new types of activities: (1) body movement and educational games; (2) teacher training; and (3) community involvement. Teachers were trained at the school where they worked. After…

Describes 11 Appalachian Regional Commission funded projects designed to improve education in Kentucky, many of which focus on dropout prevention, including Laurel County Alternative School, Owsley County Dropout Prevention Program, ADOPT, Pine Mountain Settlement School, Technical Assistance Grant, potential projects, documentary on dropout…

Describes Idaho's comprehensive K-12 plan to develop the personal, educational, and occupatonal skills that all students need to profit from their educational experience. (JOW)

California's Peninsula Academies train high-risk students academically and vocationally. Partnerships with employers provide hands-on training and summer jobs. The program's small school atmosphere helps motivate previously disaffected students. (SK)

Use of diagnostic testing (for mathematics skills) and multiple-choice, computer-graded homework in reducing dropout from general physics is discussed. Indicates that these strategies were successful without sacrificing academic or grading standards. Includes list of topics on the diagnostic math test and sample homework problem set (in…

Describes a non-traditional outpatient group instituted to improve services to parole/probation clients (N=52). The group used various techniques to optimize client success. A one-year study indicates the group was cost-effective, may improve client attendance, and has improved relations between parole/probation and mental health staff.…

Lowering class dropout rates is the goal of the physics department at the University of Houston (Texas). Microcomputers, videotapes, and tutors are available to assist students. (Author/MLF)

States that student retention is significant for measuring institutional effectiveness in the prevailing environment of accountability and budgetary constraints. Presents recommendations for increasing retention, including training staff on retention issues, reviewing admission and advising strategies affecting minority populations, and piloting…