Dropout prevention has become a compelling priority for school personnel. But high school dropout research leaves many school variables largely unexamined. This study describes a staffing committee that had been established in a large urban high school during the 1986-87 school year and responded specifically to referrals of students who were…

This report reviews the current literature on dropouts and school discipline and discusses a survey of ten North Country high schools used to generate information to be used by schools when re-evaluating policies regarding these issues. Survey data was collected using questionnaires completed by the principals of the ten schools. Recommendations…

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…

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…

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) commissioned a review of the available literature on the impact of the introduction of means-tested contributions to tuition fees for full-time undergraduates from 1998-1999. The overall objective was to provide evidence to assist the HEFCE's ongoing assessment of future levels of student…

This report proposes that not enough good data or research has been done to settle the debate over whether testing affects high school dropout rates. Advocates argue that the threat of missing out on a diploma or of being retained motivates students to work harder, resulting in higher academic achievement. Critics argue that failing a high school…

This novel and accompanying workbook tell the story of a young girl who had an awakening that made her realize that dropping out of school was wrong. It tells her story of achieving her dream, realized through sacrifice and determination, of graduating high school and attending college. The accompanying workbook presents vocabulary exercises,…

Results of the investigation suggest that the size of the high school or community is related to academic persistence. The degree of incongruence between these social and academic environments (high school vs. college) may require a personal adjustment beyond the capability of some students. (Author)

Article asks the question Should the Anti-Dropout Campaign" be Curtailed? Suggests that dropping out of high school is overrated as a problem. (Author)

The purpose of this study was to construct a scale to discriminate between those students who are likely to drop out of school and those who are not. The results indicate that this must be only the first of many steps. (Author)

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)

Using a randomized two group pre-test/post-test research design, the study found that (1) significant results occurred on those variables measuring levels of vocational maturity, days of school attendance, and numbers of disciplinary referrals and (2) non-significant results occurred on those variables measuring proportions of students dropping…

Dayton (Ohio) Public Schools have two new programs for potential dropouts, called University Prep Program and New Options for Work, that take the students out of classes with younger students and treat them as the young adults they are. (MLF)

A coordinated effort by all segments of society, led by the schools, can decrease the number of dropouts, increasing the chances that more young people will lead productive lives. Included is a list of sources of dropout prevention activities. (TE)

Compared weekly activities among four groups of high risk and typical high school students: potential dropouts at suicide risk; typical youth at suicide risk; potential dropouts not at suicide risk; and typical youth not at suicide risk. Of the 1,286 participants, 39.4% of high risk and 30.1% of typical high school students screened in at suicide…