This book describes the lives and life conditions of some of the approximately 30 students who attended one Enterprise High School located in northwestern Macomb County (Michigan) designed to keep potential dropouts in school. All of the events described in the book actually happened although they did not actually happen to any one or two specific…

Describes a survey of academic and personal stressors experienced by developmental college students. High ranking academic stressors included career and future goals, studying, tests/finals, and financial aid problems, while living conditions, personal appearance, lack of free time, and roommate conflicts were highly ranked personal stressors.…

The purpose of this booklet is to raise the awareness of teachers and other school personnel about the needs and characteristics of the children of alcoholics and addicts and to explain what schools can do to help. The booklet discusses: (1) risk factors for children of alcoholics and substance abusers, including the psychological, emotional, and…

This planning guide was created to help educators plan and implement projects to reduce student abuse of drugs and alcohol. Chapter 1, Perspectives, briefly describes four commonly held perspectives regarding substance abuse: (1) moral-legal; (2) public health; (3) psychosocial; and sociocultural. A brief history of the ways in which New Jersey…

Describes the Developmental Inventory of Sources of Stress, an instructional tool to assist counselors, advisors, and faculty working with high-risk first-year students. The DISS helps students understand the sources of stress they can control. Describes the DISS's Time Management, Physical Lifestyle, Chemical Stressors, Academic and Interactive…

This report was written to provide educators with information on their role in dealing with the problem of adolescent suicide. A review of current literature was conducted to give educators accurate teenage suicide information, and an annotated bibliography of relevant citations from that review is included. Thirty entries are organized in the…

Student attrition is a major problem for American colleges and universities because an increasing number of enrollees fit the demographic and socioeconomic profile of "high-risk" students, who consist in general of minorities, the academically disadvantaged, the disabled, and those of low socioeconomic status. Declining enrollments leave…

Suggests that music education by its nature is well suited to meeting the special needs of at-risk students. Discusses the role of music in motivating and enabling students to succeed. Defines the causes of failure as inability and lack of desire to learn when at-risk students receive the wrong kind of instruction. (DK)

This paper presents a study that: (1) documented the course of problems for borderline students in an undergraduate medical program; (2) compared documentation by the same tutors of weaker students with good students in the same tutorial group; (3) documented which of six dimensions (knowledge, problem solving, critical appraisal, clinical skills,…

Discusses the term "at risk" and explains its application to students of social studies. Lists 34 categories of at-risk students and 18 methods that teachers use to encourage and motivate students. Argues that at-risk students do not need isolated, special programs or stigmatizing labels. (SG)

This resource book was created to address many of the areas that place children at risk for educational and social failure. It consists of handouts and fact sheets that educators and psychologists can photocopy and distribute to parents, teachers, and other educators so that they can more broadly understand and address some of the situations that…

The transition to high school is a crucial time in a student's academic career. This summary is presented as a caution to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the public to warn of some of the hazards of the transition year (grade nine). In 1989-90, ninth-graders in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District had the lowest…

Professor Shirley Chisholm responds to questions concerning the decline in minority higher education enrollments, student financial aid considerations, ways of fostering a climate of support for minority students, faculty behaviors, racism on campus, and family pressures on minority students. (DMM)

This six-article document examines the research base that can be used in formulating plans to improve the chances of schooling success for all students. Each article summarizes well-confirmed knowledge in a particular area, giving attention first to the research literature, and then to the tested experiences and practices of leading professionals.…

Public schools and social service agencies often serve the same clients and have some of the same goals. To achieve many of the goals that each sector is placing on its own reform agenda, complementary action is a must. For this publication, 13 interviews were conducted with both educators and social workers who have gained experience with the…