The authors of the book "Reducing the Risk: Schools as Communities of Support" are interviewed. The book proposes a research-based theory of dropout prevention that stresses the importance of school membership and networks of support. (TE)

The article describes the development and analysis of a system to identify and monitor high-risk students in postsecondary vocational training programs at vocational-technical institutes. The two instruments focus on (1) student satisfaction and (2) instructors' opinions on student abilities and attitudes (student "satisfactoriness')." (DB)

Recounts the story of "The Media Academy," a successful special program at Fremont Academy in Oakland, California, which challenges at-risk students to excel in journalism. Notes that the program is built on three firm tenets: heterogeneous classes, writing across the curriculum, and "less is more"--fewer topics in greater…

Discusses a specific type of mentoring: matching retired, older persons with young people enduring a crisis period in their lives. Programs such as the Teaching Learning Communities (T-LC) Mentoring Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, assign elders as mentors and tutors to junior high school students in danger of dropping out. Strong elder-youth bonds…

Most discussions about at-risk students focus on remedying deficiencies in basic skills, often narrowly defined as English literacy and ability to perform mathematical computations. Omitting appealing subjects from a "streamlined" curriculum will only worsen the situation. Through careful planning, administrators can add the power of music to…

Discusses "Choices & Changes," a program designed to reshape the way young people think about their choices. Suggests that economic education can show students that they possess meaningful skills and knowledge and can improve both. Examines program goals, themes, outcomes, and philosophical issues. (DK)

This article examines school dropout rates, the impact of dropouts on society, and the prevention of dropouts by early identification of "reluctant learners" and early instructional interventions that address motivation, self-concept, attention, and learning strategies. At the secondary level, intervention should focus on school conditions that…

Two hundred ninth-grade students with low grade point averages and high absenteeism rates were provided tutoring services, and their teachers were provided consultation to make the classroom environment less punitive. The classroom environment became more positive, more students completed assignments, and dropouts and suspensions decreased.…

Many students drop out of school because they feel that they are unteachable and unliked by administrators and teachers. Teachers may not be aware of how they send negative messages to at-risk students. The solution can be found in improving relationships between at-risk students and school staff members. This approach is often overlooked by…

A study examined the impact of the National Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE) Dropout Prevention Program on teachers and the implications of the program for professional development. Kindergarten through high-school classroom teachers designed their own projects, applied for grants, controlled project budgets, directed…

The Durham Public Schools Communities in Schools (CIS) Academy provides a student-centered environment that encourages high-risk students to remain in school and get back on track for graduation. Program operations began in January 1995. This paper presents the results of an evaluation of the first semester of operations (the second semester of…

This study examined the impact of variables related to competence and identity as protective factors in a group of at-risk dropouts and at-risk graduates of high school. Participants consisted of 99 at-risk students (35 females and 64 males) drawn from a continuation high school in an urban school district and 24 high school students (9 female and…

This paper addresses educational reform as it affects dropouts, minorities, diverse cultures, training programs, and community-based education. Effective dropout-prevention models are presented that address the needs of at-risk populations. The author states that much dropout prevention and reclamation takes place off of school district campuses…

This report describes the development of a project designed to enable high risk high school students to acquire the skills necessary to create computer art. The project was based on a perceived need for the development of a curriculum in computer graphics that would motivate high risk students to acquire skills that could lead to a long term…

This project described methods of early identification and implementation of various interventions used to increase achievement of students at risk in grades three, four, and five at John D. Floyd Elementary School in Spring Hill, Florida. The 51 children who qualified for and were enrolled in the dropout prevention program had achievement scores…