Every day, an estimated 2,500 students across the nation drop out of high school. In the last decade, approximately 30 percent of students who enrolled in high school have failed to graduate four years later. The situation is even more dismal for youth of color. In 2003, only 55 percent of African Americans and 53 percent of Hispanics graduated…

This report summarizes data for students participating in the Transition Sixth (T-6) Dropout Prevention program in Broward County Public Schools, Florida, from the 1987-88 to 1990-91 school years. The T-6 program uses an early intervention strategy designed to reduce the dropout rate by allowing selected over-age fourth graders to master skills…

Three off campus private alternative schools have been supported, in part, by the Portland, Oregon, Public Schools. The students, mostly high school age, are largely dropouts or on the verge of dropping out of school. Many were referred because of behavior, attendance, or other discipline problems. At least half of the students in each school have…

This report presents findings from a study of dropouts and students at risk in Chicago public schools. It is divided into five major chapters. Chapter 1 describes the study's grouping of Chicago high schools into four "types": selective academic; selective vocational; non-selective integrated; and non-selective segregated. A…

This paper provides information about Newark (New Jersey) high school students who have officially dropped out of school. The report is divided into four sections. The first section is an overview of the dropout rate of two cohorts of students: freshmen in 1979-80, and freshmen in 1980-81. The second section includes 1984-85 data, based on monthly…

This report presents the findings and recommendations of an in-depth study of the Hispanic youth and the dropout syndrome in Michigan. Following an executive summary, the report is divided into three major sections. The first section describes the procedures, instruments, resources, findings, and conclusions of a statewide survey of Hispanic…

A GREAT NUMBER OF AMERICAN CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP IN SOCIALLY DEPRIVED SURROUNDINGS. THESE DEPRIVATIONS ARE REFLECTED IN LOWER EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE SPECIAL PREPARATION IN ORDER TO LESSEN THIS WASTE OF EDUCATIONAL POTENTIAL. PROJECT BEACON IS AN EFFORT TO INTRODUCE WITHIN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM A PERMANENT CORPS OF…

This study of dropouts from New Brunswick (Canada) schools presents a description of dropout characteristics and makes a comparison with findings of the dropout profile from the preceding year. Six variables were found to be stable factors--sex, original language (French or English), end result of leaving school (work, school, or other), grade…

Expanding choice among public schools will improve student achievement and provide creative and decision-making professional opportunities for teachers. Three successful choice plans are discussed. Steps for developing choice plans are listed. (PS)

Assessed the effectiveness of a 12-week intervention program on potential dropouts (N=55). The results revealed that the experimental intervention did impact significantly on retention and absence rates, but student attitudes were not significantly affected. Results pose serious questions concerning the generalizations of the self-concept to…

MDRC's Opening Doors Demonstration is measuring the effects of various combinations of curricular reforms, enhanced academic advising, and increased financial aid intended to increase the persistence and improve the academic achievement of students at six community colleges across the United States. To determine the impact of the Opening Doors…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a solution-focused, alternative school in preventing students from dropping out of high school. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest group design was used with 85 students to examine differences in credits earned, attendance, and graduation rates. Follow-up data on students in the experimental group were…

This newsletter contains six articles focusing on dropouts, potential dropouts, dropout rates, and dropout prevention, particularly in Texas and among Hispanics and other minority groups. "Improving Student Performance: Study Identifies Better Approach" (Maria Robledo Montecel, Josie Danini Supik, and Jose A. Cardenas) correlates student…

Business statistics is a required course for business and management majors and a prerequisite for advanced courses at the University of Maryland College Park. According to university records, typically 23% of the students enrolled for the course withdraw. The Counseling Center's Learning Assistance Service has a series of 16 45-minute…

THE EDUCATIONAL SITUATION OF SPANISH-SPEAKING PERSONS OF THE SOUTHWEST IS DISCUSSED. IN 10 OUT OF THE 15 TEXAS METROPOLITAN AREAS, 40 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE SPANISH POPULATION HAS EXPERIENCED LESS THAN 4 YEARS OF SCHOOLING, IN EIGHT OUT OF 10 CALIFORNIA METROPOLITAN AREAS, 20 PERCENT OR MORE ARE IN THE SAME CATEGORY. PERCENTAGES RISE AS ONE…