Recent census figures indicate that, compared to all races and ethnic groups, Hispanic students had the lowest rate of graduation from high school. This article explores possible predictors of dropout among Hispanic youth by comparing the Hispanic youth who dropped out of school between the 8th and 10th grade with those who continued. Data for the…

Noting that thousands of young children with the capacity to experience school success do not because they are unprepared for school learning activities, have experienced physical or emotional setbacks that cause them to be at risk for early learning failure, have never experienced limits on their behavior, or have mild sensory or motor deficits,…

A study examined the beliefs and attitudes of Mexican-trained educators regarding instruction for minority and language minority students in light of assumptions that students experience better outcomes with culturally and linguistically compatible teachers. Fifteen educators who received their teacher education in Mexico, and whose native…

This study examined the relationship between attributions for success and failure and mathematics achievement in African American, Hispanic, Indochinese, and Caucasian elementary students. Students completed the Sydney Attribution Scale and Wide Range Achievement Test. Across groups, high achievement related to attributing success to ability, not…

Report on research from 18 states that concludes that high-stakes tests do not lead to higher student achievement. In addition, such tests can decrease student motivation to learn and lead to higher student retention and dropout rates. (Contains 2 figures and 21 references.) (WFA)

Maintains that educational reformers need to examine the past to understand why middle schools have not succeeded with Mexican Americans, and argues that current school reform does not depart radically from early 20th-century logic and practice. Presents current research and policy in a historical perspective. Describes Project Theme, a…

Examined culturally based differences in the perceptions of causal attributions for athletic achievement in Germany and China. Results show that the Chinese perceive success and failure to be more internal and controllable than the Germans. This result is discussed from the perspective of traditional Chinese culture and from today's social…

After discussing the poor quality of classroom instruction for at-risk urban students, the paper examines risks associated with failure, current instructional practices in poor urban schools, and instructional approaches that have improved the education of at-risk students (critical/responsive teaching, cognitively-guided instruction, and…

Presents a solution to the problem of helping high-risk students develop the mathematics skills they need. Suggests that individualized projects, providing students with hands-on learning experiences that are tied in with the real world, be employed to build student self-esteem. Appendices provide example projects. (MDH)

At-risk students present problems not addressed by methods and materials. Changes in teacher education to help poor readers are distracted by debates over methodologies. The article suggests socio-emotional problems of at-risk students underlie their academic failures. Teachers must focus on teacher/learner interactions to bring about personal…

Researchers investigated whether enrollment in high school vocational/business courses had more holding power than personal, social factors, using High School and Beyond survey data to examine 12 variables. Peer interest, sense of social belonging, and relationships with school staff differentially related to persistence, but participation in…

Reviews research on remedial education. Examines three questions: (1) what is known about effective methods of providing remedial instruction; (2) how can student success and/or failure be accounted for; and (3) what instructional strategies are most effective. (CFR)

A study of 56 inner-city Canadian teachers found they believed that student behavior and attitude combined with familial situations were strongly related to students becoming at risk for school failure. School violence and gangs, large class sizes, and limited school resources and programs were rated as moderately contributing to student risk. (CR)

Two measures, perceived academic control and action control (i.e., preoccupation with failure), were administered to college students. Achievement-related cognitions, emotions, motivation, and final grades were measured at the end of the course. Of note, high-control, high-failure-preoccupied students outperformed the other groups by one to two…

Immigrant students from the English-speaking Caribbean face various forms of psycho-educational and socio-cultural dislocation in their attempt to fit within the structures of their new schools and communities in the United States. These students risk academic failure and delinquency and the possibility of remaining on the periphery of American…