Career academies now number more than 1,500 nationwide. The concept has roots in colonial times and in the German continuation model. High-risk academy students have lower dropout rates, are more engaged in the curriculum, and continue on to postsecondary education at a higher rate than their nonacademy peers. They also have improved job…

Analyzes the effectiveness of widely used risk factors for identifying potential dropouts, using data from the School Dropout Demonstration Assistance Program. Findings indicate that most risk factors are not effective predictors of dropping out, and that dropout prevention programs often serve students who would not have dropped out and do not…

"ALAS," an acronym for "Achievement for Latinos through Academic Success" that means "wings" in Spanish, is a middle school (or junior high school) intervention designed to address student, school, family, and community factors that affect dropping out. Each student is assigned a counselor who monitors attendance,…

A pilot vocational exploration program in the Pocono Mountain School District (Pennsylvania) was conducted for students who were at risk of dropping out of school after failing eighth grade. The program, conducted as a ninth-grade class, allowed at-risk students to receive concentrated, personalized help in basic academic skills while exploring…

The Target 2000 legislation enacted by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1989 mandates halving the state's dropout rate by the year 2000. The statute requires that the State Board of Education, assisted by a select committee, devise and pilot-test dropout prevention programs during school years 1989-90, 1990-91, and 1991-92. In September…

This document provides an overview of the concept of mentoring, this time applied to the area of dropout prevention. It begins by describing the functions and characteristics of a mentor, considering the use of mentors with at-risk youth, and examining the roles of a mentor in dropout prevention. Suggestions are given for setting up a mentoring…

The Virginia Education Association and the Appalachia Educational Laboratory jointly sponsored a group of six educators to study descriptions of over 100 programs for at-risk students in Virginia public schools. The group developed a Survey of Programs for At-Risk Students that called for an extensive program description and mailed the survey to…

This report describes three model programs in dropout prevention that were developed for three school systems, Granville, Haywood, and Wake Counties, in the State of North Carolina. The three model programs have several general characteristics in common: planning; comprehensiveness; collaboration; commitment of a wide range of people; and dropout…

Student attitudes are affected by many aspects of classroom environment and attempts to change behavior must take them into account. By creating a nonthreatening classroom environment, teachers can address the motivational problems of at-risk students effectively. (JOW)

This report outlines strategies, developed by a state-legislative committee, for reducing the dropout rate in Colorado. The committee also investigated alternative methods of completing a high-school education program and ways of stressing the importance of education to Colorado youth. To gather information, testimonies provided by students,…

The best dropout prevention programs give students a chance to succeed, promote a sense of personal responsibility, build self-esteem, structure work so it can be done well, and celebrate accomplishment of any kind. (MLF)

A Delaware school district developed partnerships with local businesses that helped lower the dropout rate by 32 percent. Students who meet some minimum qualifications are selected, and local businesses provide entry-level jobs, mentors, and the promise of jobs after the students graduate. (MLF)

Involving parents in a team approach by providing parent education and assistance programs can only strengthen dropout prevention strategies that are being developed and implemented throughout the nation. (JOW)

Describes a program in which high school students in a dropout-prevention program made twice-weekly visits to work as volunteers at a school that includes students with multiple, severe disabilities. (SR)

A program sponsored by Pepsi-Cola Company is designed to provide students in inner-city school districts with reasons for staying in school. Incentives for students include scholarship credit of $250 for each semester in which they maintain a C average; mentor-teachers receive $1,000 for continuing education, classroom enhancement, or the…