This paper describes the migrant program in the Yuma (Arizona) Union High School District (YUHSD), and its documented successes in parental involvement and student graduation rate. Statistical profiles offer an image of the YUHSD and the migrant student population it serves. The migrant program's goal is to provide the best education possible by…

Overall, federal and state tax codes treat employer investments in human capital more favorably than investment in physical plant and equipment. The most important advantage is that training expenditures can be dispensed immediately, rather than depreciated over time, possibly resulting in a subsidy of 33 percent. In addition, employers who use…

This paper describes a study by the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES) to determine its membership's opinions on priorities and expertise regarding the dropout problem. ACRES members, primarily rural special-education teachers, parents, and collateral service workers, were surveyed about the dropout problem and what research they…

Knowledge of Jordan's historical background and the role of well-educated individuals and groups in motivating adults to participate in learning activities is essential for finding ways to recruit and retain adults in education programs. Some means that have proven effective include the following: (1) persuading religious and social leaders to…

The effects of student characteristics and remedial program placement policy on academic achievement and other outcomes were studied at 10 Michigan community colleges. The study population consisted of 3,448 students enrolled in remedial writing at colleges with a compulsory remedial placement policy and 2,669 students enrolled in remedial writing…

A description is given of "Operation Rescue," a program designed to find and implement solutions to the dropout problem. A discussion of the reasons students drop out of school takes into consideration the pressures of society that tend to overwhelm at-risk students. These include environmental, academic, survival, and social factors…

This paper discusses dropout prevention and "Forward in the Fifth," an innovative program for school development in the Fifth Congressional District of southern Kentucky. The program focused on formation of a support group that could give school systems sustained financial and educational support from community and business leaders.…

The Region XI Migrant Education Program, Pajaro Valley Unified School District (Watsonville, CA) serves approximately 6,300 students during the regular school year and 4,400 students during the summer. Virtually all students are Hispanics, and 47 percent are currently migrant. As a group, these students have at least three characteristics that put…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a variety of academic intervention programs designed to improve the success of "at risk" students at one university. Most programs were designed to either help students in a particular course (such as calculus or chemistry) or in a particular major. The performance benchmark used to assess…

A study at Barry University (Florida), a private, urban comprehensive university investigated factors in student retention. Demographic data, standardized test scores, and academic performance data were gathered for almost 3,000 students entering the university between fall 1991 and spring 1995. In addition, the students were surveyed on…

This study analyzed survey research conducted in 1992 in a suburban metropolitan New York City community, predominantly white, with an 18 percent black, a 4 percent Asian and 4 percent Latino population. The community had an 11% poverty rate. The longitudinal study questioned 305 10th-graders, most of them born outside the United States, by…

This report summarizes two joint sessions held by the Indian Nations At Risk Task Force and the National Advisory Council on Indian Education to hear testimony on the causes of high Native American dropout rates and on dropout prevention strategies. Educators and parents provided information defining the problem and outlining factors contributing…

This study examined the degree of college student satisfaction with university student services, facilities, and programs and the link of student satisfaction with student retention. In particular the study evaluated factors that account for the variance between groups of students who plan to remain at the university and those who do not. During…

To assist low-income rural schools with school improvement and dropout prevention, the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) has undertaken a multi-year project at five demonstration sites. This paper shares observations and lessons learned from the experiences of the five school districts involved in SEDL's partnership strategy. The…

Since attrition is often a problem in adult training programs, a study was conducted to investigate the relationship between locus of control and course completion of adults enrolled in a retraining program. Rotter's Social Learning Theory of Personality was used as a starting point for the study. The study population was a sample of 108…