Discusses the high school dropout problem, focusing on young people's reasons for leaving school and schools' efforts to retain them. Recommends more effective primary education, computer programs to identify youth at risk, and coalitions of schools, businesses, and government agencies to pair learning and work experience. Cites 15 references.…

This study investigated the departure behavior of college students in the United States. Previous attrition studies have typically focused on dropout at specific points in time, such as the first year of enrollment. In this study, the timing of departure was examined over a 5-year period. It was found that factors affecting student attrition had…

A CURRICULUM GUIDE WAS PREPARED FOR A DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (ED 010 332) WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WERE CONSIDERED POTENTIAL DROPOUTS. SELECTION WAS ON THE BASES OF (1) INTELLIGENCE, (2) READING ACHIEVEMENT, (3) GENERAL ACHIEVEMENT, (4) SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, AND (5) SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT. MAJOR EMPHASIS WAS ON PROVIDING THE STUDENTS WITH A SENSE…

A DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM WAS CONDUCTED WITH SLOW-LEARNING, SOCIALLY ALIENATED STUDENTS (POTENTIAL DROPOUTS). FULL-TIME CLASSES WERE ESTABLISHED FOR GRADES 7 TO 12, CONTAINING SPECIAL LEARNING UNITS IN LANGUAGE ARTS, SOCIAL STUDIES, ARITHMETIC, SCIENCE, INDUSTRIAL ARTS, HOME ECONOMICS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND WORK EXPERIENCE. THE CURRICULUM CONTENT…

This report provides an overview of the phenomenon of early school leaving through presentation and discussion of relevant research issues, concerns, and retention strategies for potential leavers. It includes a brief review of the current literature with an emphasis on Canadian and Saskatchewan research. The extent of the early school leaving…

This paper aims to develop strategies for retaining at-risk students. At-risk students can be defined as being deficient in specific skills; having low incoming grades; having an expectation of failure; lacking familiarity with academic requirements; and having an absence of role models, among other negative characteristics. The paper suggests…

Describes a systematic intervention program used at the University of New Haven which increased the persistence of developmental composition students using seminars on goal setting, learning styles, time management, and career planning and informal counseling by mentors to meet students' affective and academic needs. (DMM)

Improving retention in adult literacy programs is of great concern for both instructors and administrators. A learner-centered program is a must for improving retention. In such a program, a support system for learners should be readily accessible. Instruction should be based on students' goals, and program staff should be available to help…

This study examines the impact of school structures on potential dropouts. Data from field notes, interviews, and school records are used to describe and discuss the effectiveness of interventions generated by a school committee which worked to prevent at-risk students from dropping out of high school. (IAH)

This dropout prevention guide was designed to assist school districts in identifying potential dropouts and in developing and implementing programs that provide prevention, intervention, and remediation. The introductory section briefly reviews the purpose, design, and origin of this guide and recognizes national dropout concerns, the…

This paper provides information about Newark (New Jersey) high school students who have officially dropped out of school. The report is divided into four sections. The first section is an overview of the dropout rate of two cohorts of students: freshmen in 1979-80, and freshmen in 1980-81. The second section includes 1984-85 data, based on monthly…

A THREE YEAR STUDY, WHICH WAS MADE OF DROPOUTS IN 49 SMALL SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE TEXAS SMALL SCHOOLS PROJECT, WAS MADE TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF DROPOUTS, THEIR AGE, GRADE, SEX, AND REASON FOR DROPPING OUT. THREE FIGURES AND THREE CHARTS SUMMARIZE THE RESULTS. THE STUDY REVEALED THAT (1) MORE MALES DROPPED OUT THAN FEMALES, (2) THE AVERAGE…

Describes dropout prevention programs in the School District of Philadelphia: (1) High School Academies, schools within schools that provide a holistic approach to the transition from school to work; (2) Jobsearch; (3) Education for Employment Initiative, an effort to coordinate programs that prepare students for employment; and (4) Vocational…

Although the national reports have not focused on the problem, effective schools must address the needs of potential school dropouts. The author rebuts some of the common arguments against dropout prevention programs, arguing that successful dropout prevention is one of the key indicators of overall school effectiveness. (Author/TE)

Assessed the effectiveness of a 12-week intervention program on potential dropouts (N=55). The results revealed that the experimental intervention did impact significantly on retention and absence rates, but student attitudes were not significantly affected. Results pose serious questions concerning the generalizations of the self-concept to…