Project Intervention is an innovative dropout prevention program developed by the Corpus Christi Schools (TX) to improve school attendance, decrease disruptive behavior, and improve academic achievement. Includes a discussion of dropout data analysis and a sidebar outlining the importance of citing the economic stakes when promoting the…

High school reform has now been on the national agenda long enough that people can begin reaching conclusions about the effectiveness of various approaches to it. This article discusses several strategies of high school reforms which includes: (1) improving school climate; (2) strengthening curriculum and instruction; (3) raising graduation…

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a strong network of committed colleagues to launch an initiative like "SENSE." From its conception in fall 2006 to the first national administration in fall 2009, the Survey of Entering Student Engagement ("SENSE") has been supported by key individuals and groups, without whom there would have been…

No state can afford to have the percentage of young people who are failing to finish high school remain at the present levels nor can they afford to ease the standards. This document discusses the following 10 strategies that states can implement to raise achievement and increase high school completion rates: (1) Initiate a transition program for…

A necessarily selective discussion of but a few of the matters involved"; extrinsic rewards, student-teacher relationship, accountability, teachers' union opposition, student reaction. Abstracts of 12 documents included. (Author/SP)

When the Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education (subsequently referred to as the commission) convened in fall 2008, the educational landscape was facing a number of issues that the commission's members recognized as formidable challenges to those students who aspire to enroll and succeed in college. Summarizing the…

"Check & Connect" is a dropout prevention strategy that relies on close monitoring of school performance, as well as mentoring, case management, and other supports. The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) reviewed six studies on "Check & Connect" that were designed to assess the program's effectiveness. Four of these studies…

A two-week orientation program designed to acquaint pre-freshman engineering students with material relevant to their subsequent curriculum was successful in boosting the students' chances for survival in both engineering and other academic programs. Verified by carefully drawn samples from three separate entering classes, it was found that the…

A study was conducted among high school students to discern their reasons for dropping out of school. Indepth interviews were conducted with a random sample of 544 dropouts from a large urban board in Canada. The profile of a typical dropout in the literature is one of a chronic low achiever who is aimless, alientated, angry, and has a variety of…

The ultimate purpose of studying the problem of students dropping courses is to develop a method of minimizing their number and maximizing the number of those succeeding in courses. The purpose of this preliminary study is to analyze presently available data in terms of success, failure, and dropping of courses. Data were obtained from the grade…

The Continuing Education by Tutorial Assistance (CETA) program was implemented by Olivet Nazarene College and sponsored by Kankakee Community College, Kankakee, Illinois. The objective of the program was to reach black, high school students who were likely to drop out of school. Evaluation was accomplished by pairing 35 tutees with 35 nontutees.…

Career academies in Philadelphia have evolved over the past 30 years. A comprehensive review of their effectiveness found that students have better attendance and grades, higher self-esteem and satisfaction with school, and lower dropout rates. (JOW)

"Alabama Education News" is published monthly except for June, July, and December by the Alabama Department of Education. This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the "Code of Alabama", as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the Alabama Department of Education designed to inform citizens and educators about…

"ALAS," an acronym for "Achievement for Latinos through Academic Success" that means "wings" in Spanish, is a middle school (or junior high school) intervention designed to address student, school, family, and community factors that affect dropping out. Each student is assigned a counselor who monitors attendance,…

This article reviews the literature and provides examples of extrinsic motivators and incentives being used in public schools to decrease dropout rates, increase attendance, and increase academic achievement. The use of incentives has grown in favor as a way to increase student achievement, intrinsic motivation, self-worth, and retention. Certain…