This paper discusses the importance of helping at-risk students avoid dropping out of school by providing an appropriate curriculum for them. If school systems are to achieve greater educational success with at-risk students, they must move beyond traditional approaches. They can do this by: identifying and helping students who demonstrate little…

In recent years, the federal government has designated 105 communities across the country, including many urban neighborhoods, as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities (EZ/ECs). At the same time, many urban school districts have launched school-to-career initiatives to help keep at-risk youth in school and improve their academic achievement…

Recent research on college student attrition is examined for trends, and it is suggested that the common perspective on retention and attrition is too narrow; it should be viewed from three perspectives: within-course retention; program retention; and institutional retention rate. Recommended for retention (R) is early (E) identification (Id) plus…

This study examines the impact of school structures on potential dropouts. Data from field notes, interviews, and school records are used to describe and discuss the effectiveness of interventions generated by a school committee which worked to prevent at-risk students from dropping out of high school. (IAH)

Now in its eighteenth year, an alternative public high school in New York City located on a college campus and aimed at potential dropouts and high-risk adolescents, Middle College has an exemplary retention rate and is being replicated across the country. (MSE)

Describes the Career Exploratory Program, a successful alternative program developed at Mexico Senior High School, Missouri, for ninth and tenth grade students considered to be potential drop-outs, and based on hands-on, prevocational courses in core skill areas. (SR)

After installing a Computer Assisted Instruction system, officials in Escambia County, Florida, are decreasing the high dropout rate and giving at-risk students the skills to survive in the work world. (Author/TE)

School boards should require districts take the following actions: (1) make programs for at-risk students an ongoing priority; (2) assign the same quality of staff for at-risk programs as for other programs; (3) hold staff members, students, and administrators strictly accountable; and (4) insist that all district departments give equal services…

A study involving 313 parents participating in 13 Even Start family literacy programs found parents gained self-confidence in their ability to learn, engaged in more literacy activities as they progressed, began to visit their children's teachers regularly, and had high expectations of their children succeeding in school. (Contains references.)…

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…

Appropriately implemented vocational education programs can help achieve National Education Goal 2--increasing the high school graduation rate to at least 90 percent. A 3-year study of dropout prevention in 10 demonstration sites has resulted in an enhanced vocational education program model described in "Vocational Education for the 21st…

The transfer to a new school or grade has been identified as a typical transition period for students that is usually characterized by declining academic performance and increased absences. At the close of the 1991-92 academic year 26% of 9th-grade students in a large urban high school were failing 50% or more of their courses. A preventive…

The Teacher Alert System was designed in Alberta, Canada, for classroom teachers and school personnel concerned about the needs of "at risk" students. The guide can assist in the identification, assessment, and intervention process for children who have special needs. The student's problems may be related to learning, emotions, or…

This document, the first part of a two-part evaluation of the third-year implementation of New York City's 3-year Dropout Prevention Initiative (DPI), is the final evaluation report of implementation of the DPI middle school component, called the Dropout Prevention Program (DPP), conducted in 29 schools. Case-management services and some…

The Attendance Improvement Dropout Prevention program (A.I.D.P.) is a state-funded, multi-faceted program designed to provide services to students considered to be at risk of dropping out of school. The elementary school A.I.D.P. program is comprised of six components: facilitation, attendance outreach, guidance, health, school-level linkage, and…