Despite decades of school improvement initiatives, many young people still do not cross the finish line of secondary education with the credential that signifies success--a high school diploma. Thousands of young people give up on school and on themselves, or schools give up on them. Without effective support from schools, communities, and…

Profiles a dropout, or "pushout," notes the social costs of such people, and outlines some steps that can be taken to retain potential dropouts and pushouts, including individualizing instruction, identifying handicapping conditions, and observing student rights. (Author/IRT)

THE PURPOSES OF THIS COOPERATIVE STUDY WERE TO LEARN (1) WHETHER POTENTIAL DROPOUTS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY DEFINITE CHARACTERISTICS, (2) THE TYPE OF GUIDANCE SUCCESSFUL IN HOLDING STUDENTS IN SCHOOL, (3) REASONS STUDENTS GIVE FOR DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL AND THE GRADES AND AT WHICH AGES THEY DROP OUT, AND (4) THE SCHOLASTIC ABILITY OF THE DROPOUTS.…

The high school dropout problem is a crisis for the United States, in part because it impacts not only individuals and their education, but also because the economic and social costs are so dramatic. This fact sheet highlights the problem of dropout prevention facing America's high schools today. It provides information on the students most likely…

In late 1986, the United States Department of Education contracted with Pelavin Associates to conduct a study of the dropout problem in the United States. The research project was undertaken to provide a national overview of the dimensions of the dropout problem, focusing specifically on gender differences; and to identify successful or effective…

"A Blueprint for Success," a document containing principles that bring focus to issues, attitudes, and concerns essential for planning and implementing a successful dropout prevention program, lists principles for a dropout prevention program, involving: (1) programs starting during early childhood or elementary education; (2) work education…

A program that gives high school freshmen extra staff support was participated in by 30 potential dropouts. Compared to a control group, these students earned higher grade point averages, were truant less frequently, and only one dropped out of school, whereas seven of the control group dropped out. (MLF)

Whether rural or urban, children of poverty often live on islands of cultural and economic isolation far from the world of school, books, and learning. To help them span that gap, they need bridges built from innovative plans, with whatever tools can be found, by any and all who will help. (SI)

This composition of related attendance studies of both Canada and the United States includes (1) a review of school attendance/nonattendance literature for 1975-86, the results, and a discussion involving the topics of nonattendance correlations, causes, and intervention; (2) a survey of compulsory school attendance legislation, the results, and a…

Approaches to promote attendance and prevent nonattendance range from methods designed to help individual students with specific attendance problems, to programs aimed at the student bodies of entire school systems. The former approaches usually are well documented as to results, but raise questions regarding generalizability and applicability for…

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT WERE TO IDENTIFY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DROPOUTS AND OF PUPILS WHO PERSIST IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND TO IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SCHOOLS WITH HIGH AND LOW HOLDING POWER. INFORMATION WAS GATHERED FROM APPROXIMATELY 73 SCHOOLS OR 10 PERCENT OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IOWA. THE STUDY CONSIDERED THE INDIVIDUAL…

The problem of student attrition at our colleges and universities has been a major concern of educators and parents alike for many years. This report has as the focal point the plight of the student-athlete in the dropout syndrome. A 5-page questionnaire designed to solicit information regarding selective screening procedures, detection of…

Suggestions made to curb the dropout rate include these: hands-on experiences need to be provided, rigid standards need to be modified, positive self-images should be developed, modular or flexible scheduling and realistic educational media should be employed, and teachers must care for each student as an individual. (SC)

This report presents results of an extensive study undertaken to determine the factors contributing to the high dropout rate in the Los Angeles Unified School District, to review options offered to students, and to make recommendations for addressing the dropout problem. First, a list of the 27 people who formed the study committee is provided. A…