Early, accurate identification of potentially at-risk students is crucial to developing effective dropout prevention programs. Checklists are commonly used by schools and agencies to identify potential dropouts. Unfortunately checklists have several weaknesses, e.g., it is difficult to know how many characteristics must be checked before deciding…

One of the country's greatest waste of human resources is the high school dropout. It is imperative that educators learn the symptomatology associated with dropping out of school. (Author)

Characteristics and practices of effective schools have been identified and it is important to determine whether these practices work with at-risk youth. Effective schools research may yield useful knowledge in educating at-risk youth or research could warn that the effective schools movement could threaten the education of at-risk youth if not…

A review of the research on pretherapy education for psychotherapy clients has found that pretherapy training has a positive impact on encouraging clients to remain in individual or group therapy. Pretherapy training has also been shown to contribute to improving client motivation and attitudes toward the therapeutic process. The evidence suggests…

This document presents the final report of a dropout prevention counseling program designed for elementary school students in McDowell County, West Virginia. The purpose of the program is explained and three objectives met by the project are identified: (1) counseling sessions were held with each of the identified potential dropouts (N=206) in two…

This article compares one group of potential dropouts who received three action-oriented goal setting interviews with counselors to another group who received the usual counseling, but no systematic outreach program. (Author)

STUDENTS IDENTIFIED AS "HARD-CORE" FUTURE DROPOUTS BY COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD BE GROUPED TOGETHER FOR A COMPREHENSIVE, SHORT-TERM COURSE. SOME OF THE REALISTIC OBJECTIVES OF A TERMINAL PROGRAM FOR POTENTIAL DROPOUTS ARE--TO PREPARE STUDENTS WHO ARE DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL FOR IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT, TO…

THE POTENTIAL DROPOUT WAS STUDIED IN THIS COUNSELING PROGRAM IN AN EFFORT TO LESSEN THE DROPOUT RATE. CRITERIA WERE ESTABLISHED AND SAMPLES WERE SELECTED FROM GRADES 8 THROUGH 11. AN EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL GROUP WERE FORMED, AND DATA WERE GATHERED ON A NUMBER OF VARIABLES. THE STATISTICAL TREATMENTS USED WERE CHI-SQUARE AND THE "T"…

Dropout statistics for Portland, Oregon, high schools reveal that the schools themselves, and the assignment of students to specific schools, may be more important than previously thought in determining dropout rates. Thus, programs in the high schools and open transfer provisions may be cost-effective means of providing for needs of potential…

A high school in Oregon has had positive results from the development of a dropout prevention program. Students meet together each day, develop goals, and earn credits for successful efforts. Program design and implementation are described. (DF)

This paper explores how high schools, through their structures and organizations, may influence their students' decisions about whether to stay in school until graduation or drop out. Traditional explanations for dropout behavior have focused on individual students' social background and academic behaviors. What high schools do to push out or hold…

Excerpted from Youth in Transition, Volume 3: Dropping Out -Problem or Symptom?" (Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1971). Discusses the results of a nationwide research study set up to distinguish between causes and effects of a group of tenth grade boys who did or did not become dropouts. Professional…

Discusses need for early identification to prevent added client failure, unnecessary costs. Affixed approach appears useful but should be cross validated. Findings compared with those of De Mann (1963), Ayer et. al. (1966). Data tables included. (CJ)

Focuses on what can be done in intermediate or middle school to identify potential dropouts and conduct effective counselor groups and mentoring programs to keep these high-risk students in school. Describes program designed to provide potential dropouts with support system that helps them develop positive attitudes about themselves, resulting in…

Reviews literature on dropouts and considers group counseling as a possible solution to the dropout problem in high schools. Emphasizes the need for early identification and intervention with potential dropouts. Discusses school counselor's role in working with these at-risk students. (NB)