Of the 6,076 students enrolled at Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) in fall 1985, 2,389 (39.3%) were "leavers," i.e., they did not graduate and they did not return in winter 1986. Because new students made up 33.8% of the total fall headcount, but accounted for 41.7% of the leavers, a study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of…

The goal of the Indian Education Act Project (IEAP) is to increase and extend the education of American Indian youths so they can better cope with a highly technological society. Statistics have indicated drop-out rates of 40 to 50 percent among American Indians, a primary factor giving rise to the urgent need for supplemental educational services…

A study examined the rates of and reasons for students leaving New Hampshire summer vocational programs and identified models that could be implemented to reduce attrition over the summer in these vocational programs. After examining 1981 enrollment data pertaining to New Hampshire regional center vocational program leavers, researchers determined…

In order to determine what Central YMCA Community College can do to reduce student dropout rates, a series of questionnaires was developed and SRS information system data were analyzed for fall 1975. One questionnaire collected information from faculty on student attrition through the first eight weeks of the fall 1975 semester to find out what…

Cites the high dropout rates for native students in Saskatchewan urban centers and suggests that the inner-city native alternative school may be the best way to return students to some form of education leading to eventual employment. Lists 17 "do's" and "don'ts" for effective alternative schools. (JHZ)

Beginning with the class of 2003, all Massachusetts students must pass the state's high stakes test, MCAS, in order to graduate, which may significantly affect Massachusetts' already high dropout rate. According to this MCAS Alert, instead of remedying the problem of students who graduate without skills, this policy threatens to push the most…

The central message of this report is that while some students drop out because of significant academic challenges, most dropouts are students who could have, and believe they could have, succeeded in school. This survey of young people who left high school without graduating suggests that, despite career aspirations that require education beyond…

Today and every day, in neighborhoods and communities throughout Philadelphia, young people are making decisions that will change their lives forever. Some will decide to stay in school, graduate, and prepare themselves for college and careers. Others, who left school without a diploma, will summon the courage to seek out educational programs they…

This paper describes a dropout prevention, residential summer program on university campuses in Arkansas. The Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) progam began in 1988 at Henderson State University and by 1990 five Arkansas universities hosted programs. Funds for the program are provided through state agencies, the universities, vocational funds,…

The purpose of this brief report is to highlight information about disabled youth in relation to the second of six National Education goals proposed by the President and the Governors in 1990. The second goal states that "By the year 2000, the high school graduation rate will increase to at least 90 percent." A grade of…

First-year outcomes of the 1990-91 Project Achieve in 32 New York City public high schools are presented in this paper. The program aimed to reduce the dropout rate and improve at-risk student performance by expanding proven initiatives and support services for school-based decision-making committees. This report, the first of a two-part study,…

This research summary examines the policies and issues that affect the school dropout problem among youth with disabilities. It clarifies the dropout problem, examines government and school policies that affect school holding power, and recommends responses. Information is based on a current dropout prevention research project, findings from five…

A study sought to discover several general principles of student attrition, based on investigations into students dropping out of school carried out between 1973 and 1986. These investigations included a survey of 21 head instructors and 289 students at an Ontario community college, impressions gained from students dropping out of adult basic…

This paper examines existing research regarding the problem of school dropouts. It examines the historical context of the problem and discusses current definitions and methods for identifying dropout characteristics and computing dropout rates. Few incentives exist for accurate record-keeping on dropouts. School finances are often linked to…

Determining how many students drop out of school and why they leave is not easy. The definition of a "dropout" varies from school district to school district, and the mobility of students makes counting them accurately nearly impossible. In an effort to define dropouts in a way that can be applied uniformly across the country, a…