This report investigated whether withdrawees and continuers differed significantly (1) in occupational and educational status of parents, stated goals, and over-all GPA, or (2) on the basis of personal college experiences. A 2-part questionnaire, sent to 150 randomly selected entering freshmen, produced a return of 60%: 46 dropouts and 44…

The research reported here is part of a larger study investigating differences between successful and unsuccessful (withdrawing) undergraduates at the University of Texas. It focuses on a 36-item list of problems which were rated by 647 withdrawing students during Fall 1969. Responses were subjected to a principal axis factor analysis and rotated…

To determine if certain non-intellectual factors affected educational persistence, three null-hypotheses were tested for both sexes, namely, that there i s no significant difference between (1) those who persist (P) and those who withdraw (W), (2) those who persist (P) and those who are dismissed (D), and (3) those who withdraw(W) and those who…

A study was conducted to determine why applicants to the DeKalb Area Vocational-Technical School did not show up for admissions testing and enrollment or did not complete programs which they began. The study identified four groups of non-completers: "no shows" (i.e., applicants who failed to report for admissions testing); "test outs" (i.e.,…

Recognizing that voluntary withdrawal from college is inextricably associated with achievement needs, this study used achievement motivation theory to examine: (1) whether women function differently from men in achievement-oriented situations; (2) whether they differ in their reasons for leaving college; and (3) whether achievement level, as…

This paper reports the results of a major research effort by the Northern California Cooperative Research Group (Nor Cal) and the Coordinating Council for Higher Education (CCHE) in California to study junior college attrition. This study differs from the original Nor Cal attrition study in that it was designed to follow up those students who…

This report to the leaders of the minority and majority parties of the Illinois state legislature provides data on the number of students with disabilities who are estimated to exit the Illinois public school system after the 1996-97 school year. The data were prepared by averaging the information provided by districts regarding students who were…

This paper proposes a longitudinal study of Eastern Massachusetts secondary students from two culturally diverse locations beginning in the fall of 1986 and ending with their high school graduations in 1991 and 1992. After discussing dropout prevention strategies, the paper offers the following justification for the study: By following these…

The relationship between freshmen college persistence and self-report variables and objective academic indices is investigated. Follow-up data on persistence or non-persistence was gathered one and one-half years later, allowing one semester for attrition. Results indicate male non-persisters came from relatively low socioeconomic status families…

Describes a study that assessed the contribution of schooling to cognitive development by comparing the cognitive development for high school graduates and dropouts over a two-year period. Reports that the cognitive skills of students who stay in school improve more than those of dropouts and that dropping out harms disadvantaged students most.…

The author sums up the findings of research on the psychological effects of unemployment and of a variety of work experience schemes in which unemployed people participate. The article focuses on school leavers in Australia. (CT)

To many students who are in the process of withdrawing, the exit interview is an important and helpful service. It may be the last chance to help or assist the student, and to help him perceive the university as being concerned about him as an individual. Most importantly, the exit interview opens the door for the student to return to college…

Discusses how many Middle Eastern students, pressured by their parents and in the face of growing hostility on American campuses, are abandoning their studies to return to their home countries. (EV)

An overview of issues and problems in identifying and predicting dropouts is presented in this Digest. The topics discussed are as follows: factors associated with dropping out; defining and calculating dropouts; problems in prediction; the usefulness of current prediction models; and suggestions for improving prediction. The recommendation is…

Findings from a study of administrators' perceptions of student dropout causes and possible interventions are presented in this paper. Current dropout literature was categorized into four sources of student withdrawal from school--schools, parents, peers, and students. A national survey of 650 secondary principals and 650 superintendents produced…