Examined factors affecting persistence/attrition of college students (n=301) at high risk for dropping out who were enrolled in personal and academic development seminars. Findings revealed that student demographic and retention characteristics, rather than stress coping resources, appeared to be most useful in predicting attrition. Findings…

Twenty-five sophomore students recommended by their school principal or counselor participated in a pilot educational program designed to be appropriate to the interests and needs of potential high school male dropouts. Test scores, inventories, student records, office files, and employment analyses of the participants were examined to determine…

The majority of students entering Macomb County Community College enroll in the liberal arts curriculum with the intention of earning college credits and transferring to a 4-year institution. But many of these freshmen are "latent terminal" students with poor to average high school grades and low SCAT or ACT scores who fail in their chosen…

A research survey using twenty student characteristic variables were used to attempt to identify potential high school dropouts from 227 ninth grade male and female students. The results indicated that droupouts can be predicted to a limited degree and have different characteristics than retainees in a vocational program. (DS)

Primary validation of the Nor Cal questionnaire was accomplished in Phase 2 of the Nor Cal Attrition Study. The results of the primary validation were reported in the document entitled, "Phase 2 Final Report," (ED 039 879). The primary validation showed that the consortium-wide empirical validity varied from .65 to .67 depending upon whether or…

Tinto developed a model to predict the attrition process. The model respects a longitudinal perspective and regards persistence as a function of the quality of a student's interactions with the academic and social systems of the college. Tinto asserts that the two primary factors related to student withdrawal are the personal characteristics of…

This report outlines the major findings and recommendations of a study of drop-outs and "divergent youth" in Los Angeles public schools. The purposes of the research were to: identify the divergent youth population; study current practices and options which negatively impact the students' social and academic progress within the…

Analysis of data on 2,508 matriculates to the University of Alabama School of Medicine found that graduates of small local colleges were more diverse than other students in gender and race; had similar academic performance; and were more likely to come from a rural background, to drop out, or to locate to rural areas after graduation. The need for…

This paper describes efforts to identify students at risk of dropping out of school in 21 school districts in central New York. Examination of the student folders of 309 recent dropouts and interviews with principals, superintendents, and guidance counselors provided data, which were organized on student dropout data sheets, a protocol developed…

Recommendations for developing educational programs for high school dropout-prone students are presented in this publication. Data compiled on dropouts by the South Carolina State Department of Education indicate that approximately one out of every two first graders in South Carolina public schools drops out of school before completing the…

Results showed the Scholastic Aptitude Test-verbal section, the Scholastic Aptitude Test-mathematics section, the rank in class, and annual income were not effective predictors of college graduation, withdrawal or academic dismissal status. Future research should investigate the interaction of both antecedent and intervening variables. (Author)

Believing in students is what's behind the best alternative schools. Profiles of various alternative education programs reveal stringent requirements for students' self-discipline and responsibility for learning. Some districts are turning to alternative programs and schools in an effort to keep their regular schools safe. (MLF)

This paper draws on path-like models of student attrition developed by researchers concerned with American higher education to suggest a process model of dropping out of school which is applicable to secondary schools. It notes that existing research on school dropouts has been conducted largely without the guidance of such a model. Central…

A study was conducted to identify the characteristics of high risk students in selected Ohio Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs, and to describe the characteristics of the programs in order to identify program characteristics related to the retention of participants. Nine programs, selected to represent programs of various sizes (small, medium,…