State policymakers have the following options in attempting to ameliorate the high school dropout problem: (1) additional money; (2) general aid or targeted aid; (3) incentives or mandates. Research findings on the effect of each of those options are summarized and suggestions for state policies are made. (PS)

The advantages and requirements for offering a second chance to students who have failed, by forgiving a poor academic record, are discussed and supported by findings from a survey of institutions and the results of several experimental programs. (MSE)

An evaluation was conducted of educational opportunities offered by in-district alternative education option programs for at-risk students who have dropped out or are at risk of school failure in the Portland Public Schools, Oregon. This interim report describes the evaluation plan, purpose, and methodology, and highlights enrollment, attendance,…

Interventions aimed at community college administrators, instructors, and counselors were shown to have a positive effect on academic year completion rates of vocational students when compared to nontreatment colleges. Treatments included a goal setting procedure, training in personalized systematic instruction, and training in counseling…

Junior high students who were at risk of dropping out of school (n=45) were taught using the Cognitive-Based Instructional System (CBIS). Positive cognitive skills change occurred in 38%; there were discrepancies between dropout prediction test results and teacher perceptions of students at risk; CBIS implementation would require a significant…

Discussion of at-risk students focuses on the possible role of the school library in the prevention and reduction of dropouts. Topics discussed include locating relevant resources both within and external to the school; database searching; teaching information skills; integrating relevant materials into the curriculum; and making available…

Eighty-six "at-risk" students (aged 14-16) participated in an 8-week program of immersion in vocational training, academics, counseling, recreation, and performing arts. Students improved in academic areas and in their understanding of the world of work, but self-concept measures showed a decline and the program's impact on dropout likelihood was…

Reviews research on instructional practices that help at-risk students. The programs reviewed fall into three general categories: prevention programs at the primary level, classroom change programs, and supplementary/remedial programs. Lists general features that characterize these programs. (TE)

Outlines what school administrators can do to increase their understanding of local dropout programs and to decrease dropping out. Suggestions include analyzing local data, instituting early tracking of potential at-risk students, creating alternative programs, reorganizing to improve school climate, and initiating new forms of student assessment.…

Reviews current literature on dropout prevention strategies and suggests intervention strategies that might be appropriate for small rural schools. Discusses unique characteristics of small rural schools and considers strategies of early identification, networking, group counseling, family counseling, academic tutoring-counseling combinations, and…

A study investigated the effectiveness of intervention, by interview, with 111 first-year college students identified as at risk in their adjustment to college. Effects were analyzed in terms of score change on scales of adjustment, first-year grade point average, first-year course credits earned, and continuance of enrollment. (Author/MSE)

Reviews dropout characteristics; identifies the components of an overall dropout prevention approach; and describes the role of legislation, school administration, and public-private collaboratives in developing dropout prevention strategies. Emphasizes the use of public and private resources to improve the opportunities of the disadvantaged. (FMW)

Used an ecological model to examine different factors impacting school completion and dropping out for Mexican American students, highlighting: the microsystem (individual settings), which emphasizes daily interactions represented by the family, the classroom, and peer relationships; the mesosystem (setting interactions); the exosystem (community…

The decisions of 83 American Indian undergraduates to drop out of school were investigated based on the influence of their self-beliefs, social support, and comfort. Although all three accounted for academic nonpersistence decisions, social support was the strongest predictor. Discusses implications for increasing academic persistence of students,…

Miami Valley Career Technology Youth Connections, an alternative high school located in Dayton, Ohio, has an enrollment of 160 students and was created as a joint venture among local politicians to address the high dropout rates in Montgomery County, Ohio. To achieve this, the Montgomery County commissioners created a task force to develop…