High-risk students, a new segment of the baccalaureate nursing student population, are being admitted in increasing numbers. Faculty must learn to identify this group, and institutions must search for strategies to decrease the attrition rate within it. (MSE)

Best way to prevent high school students from dropping out is to address problems at elementary or middle school. At-risk students do not differ greatly from other middle-school students but need specific individualized assistance with academic skills and warm, nurturing advocate to help build self-esteem and achieve success in school work. Middle…

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…

Oregon's annual dropout rate increased from 6 percent in the 1992-93 school year to 7.4 percent in the 1994-95 school year. Some schools, however, managed to reduce their dropout rate. This report explores the strategies that worked for 15 Oregon high schools that reduced their dropout rate. Interviews were conducted with representatives of Oregon…

Federal funding sources available to school districts for meeting the needs of at-risk students are listed in this document. Each source is grouped according to its dropout prevention and retrieval strategy. These strategies include school-site management; student-oriented, teacher-oriented, and collaborative approaches; structured intervention…

This publication, the first in a series of three monographs on school dropout research, is designed to provide background information as a foundation for local programs planning throughout the Canadian provinces. Topics in this monograph include definitions of dropouts, characteristics of persons who drop out of school, factors that identify…

This paper discusses an effective model of systematic staff development focusing on prevention and intervention strategies used with at-risk students. The following are key elements: (1) matching of the purposes of training to the goals of the school districts; (2) multiple and integrated activities; (3) participants' thorough orientation to the…

This newsletter describes mentoring programs that have been successful in improving the academic achievement of at-risk African American youth. "Mentors Play Role in League's Education Push" (J. E. Jacob) describes the key role of mentors in the Urban League's Education Initiative. "Mentoring: Effective for Youth" (L. Sullivan)…

This report summarizes the findings of a national conference on mentoring. Mentoring involves a structured relationship between two people, with the first imparting support, insight, and experience to the second. The following varieties of mentoring are discussed: (1) mentoring from the business community; (2) career mentoring within specific…

Certain conclusions can be drawn from the fact that both entering school late and being retained in grade have negative effects on children. Children should start school as soon as they are eligible. Retention should be avoided whenever possible. The best alternative to retention in grade seems to be promotion in combination with individual…

Focusing on the high school dropout problem in Austin, Texas, this report presents statistics on dropouts, describes characteristics of dropouts, examines reasons for and consequences of dropping out, and explores how to prevent this problem. The report indicates that: (1) Hispanics drop out at higher rates than Blacks or Whites; (2) males drop…

Campus Partners in Learning (CPIL) encourages college and university students to act as mentors to middle school youth who are at risk of not completing a secondary education or making the transition to a productive adulthood. This national project, comprised of 202 colleges, offers information, technical assistance, and national visibility for…

The problems of at-risk students are discussed in this document. The first chapter defines nine categories of students at risk: limited background attainments; personal development difficulties; physical deprivation; disease and illness; neglect or abuse; emotional handicaps; nonscholarly tendencies; substance addiction; and antisocial tendencies.…

This document comprises part 1 of a two-part evaluation of the third-year implementation of the New York City Board of Education's 3-year high school Dropout Prevention Initiative (DPI). It describes the DPI and presents the evaluation findings and recommendations. (Part 2 comprises reports on 8 special substudies of the program in year 3.) The…

Designed for persons in schools or community agencies who wish to implement a program for at-risk youth that emphasizes the development of leadership skills, this replication guide represents 2 years of program refinement. While the strategies described here can be managed by either a school or agency, this guide was written from the perspective…