The 1985-86 Attendance Improvement/Dropout Prevention (AIDP) program aimed at improving student attendance and achievement, reducing the dropout rate, and increasing the number of students completing school. The program, which began in 1984-85, operated in selected middle, high, and special education schools and programs having large numbers of…

The Youth Leadership Program (YLP) has been in operation in schools throughout Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico for four years. Students selected for the program represented two groups: high risk, or negative, leaders; and positive leaders. The program established situations in which pupils from both groups could work together in individual…

Procedures for operating undergraduate minority engineering programs (MEPs) are provided in this handbook. The findings and suggestions presented are based on the experiences of MEP directors who have managed support programs, which focus on improving the retention of minority students within engineering. The titles and authors of the handbook's…

This manual presents a viable school program for grades K-12 to help reduce the number of school dropouts. Characteristics of potential dropouts and alternative programs to meet the needs of these students are given. Although this manual is divided into sections for elementary (K-6) and secondary (7-12) school students, many of the ideas presented…

This paper provides a synthesis of research and theory directly related to retention of adult students. In the first of five major sections, readers are provided with a brief discussion of the nature and significance of the dropout-retention problem. Section 2 reviews research findings relating to who drops out and why. Sociodemographic,…

STUDIES INDICATE THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE THINKING OF "THE" DROPOUT, BUT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DROPOUTS IN NEED OF DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS AND AID AT DIFFERENT TIMES. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE "HIGH ASPIRERS" AND THE "RETURNEES" ARE GIVEN AS SPECIFIC EXAMPLES. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TRAINING PROGRAMS TO ACCEPT THE NEEDED…

This report describes a project in New York State which used extended and improved guidance services to lower the school dropout rate. The project was conducted by the State Bureau of Guidance between 1954 and 1960 in cooperation with 89 secondary schools. Specifically discussed are project findings concerning school holding power rates. Factors…

Recent data in a longitudinal study are examined for insights into the retention patterns of institutions, characteristics of students who persist or drop out, and student satisfaction with the college experience. (MSE)

Part One of this book discusses the curricular cases, curricular changes, needed changes in instructional delivery, and the visible and invisible dropout. Part Two provides new data on delinquency and dropouts, alternative centers for learning, noncurricular changes, immigrant and seasonal farm workers, and current prevention practices. This book…

Discusses the problem of student retention in higher education and warns that colleges that fail to develop effective programs of student retention will not be able to offset enrollment losses resulting from the dwindling college-bound pool. Experts agree that the total higher education community must work together. (JAC)

Presents a model to help student personnel administrators develop cost effective approaches for improving student retention, based on the marketing process. The marketing model can be used to systematically respond to the needs of students, faculty, and the community. Outlines retention tactics at Prince Georges Community College. (JAC)

Suggests that college administrators redirect their attention from studying attrition rates to enacting retention strategies based on responding to student needs and providing a more meaningful educational experience. Several studies dealing with the development of retention programs are reviewed. (JAC)

In two surveys of freshmen students, academic needs were found to be of primary importance, compared to social and personal needs. Results provide clear direction for orientation program planners to emphasize the student's academic experience, with indications that a higher retention rate for the institution may result. (Author/JAC)

The Preadmission Counseling Program produces better informed students and fewer no-shows from application to matriculation. The home visit group had the greatest "show" rate and were better persisters. The resources committed produced a good investment. (JAC)

Data from a standardized reading test and student background information were correlated to determine relationships. Self-assessed reading scores and other data may be used for predicting retention, academic performance, and reading ability. Differences were found between persisters and dropouts on these variables. (Author)