The Chicago, Illinois Public School System suffers from the following three-tiered system: (1) schools available to the best prepared students; (2) schools in middle class neighborhoods, inaccessible to most inner city students; and (3) inner city schools which serve as holding pens for the least prepared students, most of whom dropout. (PS)

This statistical report assembles a series of indicators that examine the extent to which males and females have access to the same educational opportunities, avail themselves equally of these opportunities, perform at similar levels throughout schooling, succeed at similar rates, and reap the same benefits from their educational experiences. This…

This study investigated the effect of curriculum modifications in the English 3 (11th grade) program on at-risk students. A literature review revealed that programs including curriculum modifications have been implemented by various school systems to help reduce dropout problems and/or to assist students who are at risk of failing. This study used…

Compares the performance in college algebra for four testing strategy classes: a homework class; a quiz class; a test class; and the control class. Adjusted mean scores in performance and adjusted final attitude were not different among the four strategy groups. The test class had a higher attrition rate than the homework class. (YP)

Analysis of effects of local educational levels on employment growth found that growth benefits of higher schooling levels during the 1970s were 14 times greater for metro than nonmetro commuting zones. During the 1980s, higher education levels did not significantly affect employment growth in metro or nonmetro zones; higher dropout rates were…

Examined extent to which high-risk students identified school staff as significant others, and whether relationship between students and these staff members had effect on students' decision to remain in or drop out of school. Findings from high school students did not support hypothesis that students who had significant other adult in school would…

Tests predictions that students with high levels of "intergenerational closure" (whose parents know many of their friends' parents) will do better academically than those who do not. Finds that closure is positively associated with mathematics achievement, but not significantly associated with 12th-grade grades; closure is negatively…

Predominantly black rural counties, located in the South, are among the poorest in the nation. Manufacturing has long been an important source of job growth in these counties, but the skill demands of new technology put these populations at a disadvantage. The poor quality of local schools and high dropout rates are major problems in predominantly…

Cross-section analysis of mean 8th grade NAEP math scores and SAT-I scores found that New York State students (who take Regents exams) were one grade level equivalent ahead than might be expected, given their socioeconomic background, compared to students in other states. Dropout rates were comparable. (Contains 27 references.) (MLH)

Surveys of 2,621 Anglo and Mexican-American secondary school students and dropouts in the Southwest found that individuals participating in extracurricular activities were 2.3 times more likely to remain in school than nonparticipants. For Mexican Americans, high levels of Anglo ethnic identity were related to being in school and having positive…

This study takes a close look at the whole cycle of the 9-yr compulsory education in two communities in north China. It reveals that although there are nearly 100% enrollment and completion rates at the primary level, dropouts constitute a serious problem at the secondary level, thus rendering the 9-yr compulsory schooling an unfinished cycle.…

American society is becoming increasingly multiethnic and multilingual (Rodriguez, 1990). Nearly 25% of the U.S. population is composed of individuals of racial/ethnic groups other than Caucasian (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001). The same is true with regard to special education students. According to the Twenty-Fifth Annual Report to Congress on the…

The importance of considering the students's goal for attending community college in examining attrition is addressed. A total of 282 new students (18% of all new students) entering a community college in fall 1990 were tracked. Four items from the Entering Student Information Survey were examined: the degree the student plans to work toward at…

The first in a series, this study uses newly available data to describe the measurable changes in coursetaking, academic achievement, educational aspirations, and college enrollment rates of American high school students in the decade since the 1983 publication of "A Nation At Risk." The study's principal findings are: (1) high school…

This study reports one-year dropout rates for Arizona school districts. Dropouts were counted on an 12-month basis from the end of the 1992-93 school year to the end of the 1993-94 school year. The total state enrollment covered in this study was 322,525 students in grades 7 through 12. There were 3,567 dropouts from the elementary grades (7 and…