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…

This document provides an overview of the concept of mentoring, this time applied to the area of dropout prevention. It begins by describing the functions and characteristics of a mentor, considering the use of mentors with at-risk youth, and examining the roles of a mentor in dropout prevention. Suggestions are given for setting up a mentoring…

This North Carolina handbook brings together the information needed by local school systems to plan, develop, and implement effective programs to keep students in school. These topics are included: (1) legislation and policy for the implementation of the State Dropout Prevention Fund; (2) program standards and performance indicators; (3) program…

This article proposes a retention system for at-risk postsecondary vocational educational students that coordinates curricula, instructional accommodation strategies, and support systems by making effective use of the full scope of transition services and resources available. Discussed are best practices, assessment processes, and staff…

This guide was designed to help local educators develop and implement a comprehensive program to support pregnant and parenting teenagers and assure them access to the resources and models they need to complete their education. Section I includes an overview of the demands faced by these young people and reviews the available research on…

This report provides direction for the development of a cohesive state policy and plan for the state of Oregon regarding services for at-risk youth. It is also intended to serve as a guide for school districts, community colleges, state agencies, and communities in the further development and improvement of programs for at-risk youth. Section I of…

Describes Idaho's comprehensive K-12 plan to develop the personal, educational, and occupatonal skills that all students need to profit from their educational experience. (JOW)

The author combines principles of cooperative learning where older students at risk of dropping out are recruited to teach violence prevention to younger learners. The secondary students learn problem solving and conflict resolution skills while providing a positive model through cross age peer tutoring.

This booklet addresses the issue of high school dropouts. The dropout problem is briefly reviewed and dropout statistics are presented. A section on identifying the dropout lists early warning signs of potential dropouts and examines reasons for dropping out. Seven profiles of dropouts are included which provide personal insights, describe…

This state master plan provides a structure to facilitate the development of an appropriate and effective education system for all students in Utah, including those at risk of dropping out and of failing to achieve literacy. The challenges of ensuring an appropriate and effective education for each student are significant, numerous, and complex;…

Early socialization, cognitive differences, treatment by teachers, and curricular choices have a negative effect on both the self-esteem and academic achievement of young females. Program designers and policymakers should incorporate the following approaches into female dropout prevention programs: (1) academic encouragement; (2) counseling to…

The underlying themes in a successful dropout-prevention program are that it is teacher-led and student-centered. In this, the third National Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE) report, project leaders offer guidelines for developing a successful prevention initiative. Suggestions are made on the following objectives: (1) empower…

Teachers and administrators face three problems when developing programs at the local level for at-risk students: defining "at-risk" for their local district, identifying effective programs, and absorbing the costs of implementation. A six-step process for systematically addressing these problems would urge the schools to: (1) identify the at-risk…

This essay examines characteristics of high risk students, institutional problems related to their presence in schools, and various solutions to these problems that have been implemented at the secondary, junior college, and collegiate levels. Areas discussed in which high risk students may differ from other students include cognitive ability,…

This business/school partnership program uses adult volunteers from a local business to facilitate the personal and emotional development of students at high risk of dropping out of school. After a 30-minute training session, volunteers eat lunch with an assigned student partner once a week for 14 weeks. Benefits of the program are seen for both…