A study assessed the effectiveness of various ways of identifying at-risk middle school students for participation in a dropout prevention program. It was considered important to explore factors related to identifying students who were most in need of the program. During the first semester of the project, teacher recommendations, attendance, age,…

This study of the correlation between the self-concept of black university students and their academic persistence supports previous research identifying the importance of self-efficacy in academic persistence. Forty of the 115 18-year-old, American-born black freshmen, who lived on campus at a large predominantly white university, volunteered to…

CONTACT is an alternative school program for dropout students who return, and for students who do not benefit from a regular secondary school program. Presented are a history of CONTACT school, a study design, a description of how student needs are identified, and a section on the evaluation instruments. Study results attempt to answer questions…

This study investigates the post-high school influence of the In-School Neighborhood Youth Corps (NYC) on the earning capacity of participatns in Houston, Texas. The influence of NYC participation is investigated employing a methodology of a control group design together with data analyses using multiple regression and analysis of covariance. The…

Reports on the results of several major studies of high school dropouts. Topics addressed are who drops out and why; school-related causes; and prevention policies and programs. Stresses the urgency of addressing the nationwide dropout problem and recommends courses of action. Appended are 19 references. (IW)

This paper discusses the outcomes of two intervention models designed to prevent students with disabilities from dropping out of school in Finland. The first model, the "Creating Own Career" model, is based on the main ideas of the City as School projects. The model is designed to emphasize young peoples' own motivation,…

The document seeks to identify the issues, programs, and resources most relevant to Youth Development Programs (YDPs) engaged in education programs. YDPs, under the direction of the Office of Economic Opportunity, are designed to help disadvantaged youth while involving them in establishing and operating youth councils and various program…

In January 1970, the Department of Labor restructured its Neighborhood Youth Corps (NYC) out-of-school program and made age limits for entering the program more restrictive. Education, skill training, and work experience were emphasized. The restructured NYC-2 program was carried out in urban or growth areas, but the original NYC-1 program was…

The Edison Project, funded under Title VIII of the 1965 Elementary Secondary Education Act, has as its major objectives the reduction of the dropout rate, the increasing of the average daily attendance, the improvement of basic skills, and the development of career awareness. The project has been established as an annex to Edison High School, an…

Discusses alternative programs and schools visited by the Hispanic Dropout Project. Notes a pervasive "disconnect" between alternative programs and "regular" schools, and outlines lessons alternative programs have to offer traditional schools. (SR)

This paper discusses the evaluation of 4 of the 12 project sites that are participating in a U.S. Department of Education demonstration program to implement dropout prevention or reentry models that include vocational education as the key intervention strategy. The evaluation study includes the following: (1) identification of factors that affect…

In the United States, illiterate adults account for 20 percent of citizens over age 16. Yearly, 5 percent of these adults without a high school diploma are enrolled in Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses, which offer few appropriate counseling services. In order to study the counseling services available to ABE students in Maryland, on-site visits…

The Austin (Texas) Independent School District (AISD) obtained federal grant funds for a school dropout demonstration assistance program, which began operating in 1988-89 as Project GRAD (Grant Research About Dropouts). Project components included the following: (1) piloting the use of dropout intervention specialists at 10 high schools; (2)…

The study examined whether a change in school site affected the school attendance of 13 male Chicano gang members, 13 to 18 years of age, admitted to a community-based delinquency and gang violence prevention project. Since an active Alternative Studies Program, designed for students with special learning problems or for working students, already…

The coupling behavior of school systems was examined in this study of how school districts attempt to control and supervise alternative programs. Four alternative high schools for actual and potential dropouts, run by community-based organizations but dependent on local education agencies (LEAs) for student referral and program accreditation, were…