Two objectives of this project were: (1) to discover what specific methods of arousing motivation are most effective for particular groups, and (2) to prepare instructional materials which will make the prototype achievement motivation course and motivational climates available to a wider number of educators. Attention is given to the methods…

This report presents estimated data on the exit reasons for students with disabilities projected to leave Illinois public schools after the 1997-98 school year. The data were prepared by averaging the information provided by school districts regarding students who were no longer receiving special education services during the 1995-96 and 1996-97…

This report summarizes results of AISD's State Compensatory Education programs for at-risk students in 2001-2002.

Analyzes data from a freshman survey instrument and three-year outcomes data to define differences in college-ready and underprepared students classified according to a computerized placement test. Describes significant differences between underprepared and college-ready students and discusses their findings in relationship to the literature on…

Ninth grade poses unique academic, physical, social, and emotional challenges to students; in fact, it may be the defining year for predicting high school success. It could also be the last chance to catch pupils who are in danger of dropping out of school. The Freshman Center program attempts to give ninth graders the opportunity to succeed. This…

The Des Moines Public Schools' New Horizons Program provides supportive services such as counseling, attendance monitoring, career-related instruction, and work experience to dropout-prone high school students and their families in order to improve students' school achievement and increase their graduation rate. Program services make it possible…

The Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) program was created to prevent at-risk students from low-income families from dropping out of high school. Students aged 14 or 15 years old entering 9th or 10th grade went to a college campus for 60 days during the summer to attend English and mathematics classes, work 20 hours per week, and receive…

This report represents a synthesis of existing data on the basic skills of vocational students. An introduction provides background information, lists objectives, and describes the framework and methodology for the literature review and acquisition and analysis of four data bases: National Assessment of Education Progress, Supplemental…

In an effort to determine how student support services are meeting the needs of underprepared and part-time students, and assisting in efforts to increase program completion rates, the Center for the Study of Community Colleges conducted telephone interviews with support service personnel in six large urban community college districts (i.e., in…

The conference summarized here brought together participants from 12 public school districts and 34 observers from government agencies, foundations and community organizations. The attendees addressed the concern that the reform agenda of American public schooling is insufficiently sensitive to needy children who have dropped out of school or who…

The Occupational Proficiency Training (OPT) Program was initiated to identify potential dropouts and place them in an alternative vocational education program. Remedial communication and mathematics classes were also included in the program's design. In the first year 21 ninth grade students 14 years of age and two years behind grade were…

Examined is the success of Monash's Early Leavers' Scheme in terms of the performance, characteristics, and experience of successful applicants, and the manner in which the scheme has operated. The first section of the report provides background information on the establishment of the Scheme (to provide a modification to entry requirements for…

A study of the educational status orientations of tenth grade Mexican-American and Anglo boys in economically depressed areas of Texas found that the 2 groups had similarly high educational goals. Detailed analysis of data revealed that Anglo boys had a tendency to express more frequently high educational goals as compared to their…

The Urban Career Education Center (UCEC) is an alternative experimental high school for students classified as potential dropouts. It began operating in 1972 founded on the premise that the real goal of a worthwhile education should be the preparation of students for a productive and satisfying life in their chosen careers. The UCEC model includes…

Recounts a lawyer's personal experience teaching high school students from the wrong side of the tracks about the U.S. Constitution as part of a pilot program. Suggests that linking legal issues to students' personal lives. Can inspire as well as inform. (CH)