Summarizes the major issues and perspectives related to dropout prevention. Reviews general strategies and school-based efforts, with emphasis on community involvement and the teacher-student relationship. Discusses related social and cultural issues, and examines the alternative school approach. Contains 23 references. (SV)

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…

The keynote speech notes trends and issues since passage of Public Law 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act. It also describes proposed legislation of the Council of Chief State School Officers to benefit children and youth at risk of school failure. (DB)

Examined preference of occupational environments of 65 Black adolescents by administering Holland's Self-Directed Search-E. Nearly 74 percent of subjects recorded Social as their highest or second highest code. Results suggest that Blacks' inclination toward Social occupational environments begins as early as junior high school, and that Blacks…

Examines the high school completion rate of students in the class of 1988 assigned to an inschool suspension (ISS) program at some time during their high school career. Clearly, ISS students are high risks for school completion, as shown by this study's less than 50 percent completion rate. Nonetheless, such programs are essential. (MLH)

Two authors discuss contrasting methods of dropout prevention. Debates the effectiveness of coercion as opposed to positive incentives to keep students in school. (FMW)

Results from the first two years of an effort in 10 high schools to replicate the California Peninsula Academies Program are reported. The combination of core academic curriculum with technical instruction in an occupational field has resulted in better grades and more course credits for participants than for non-participants. (SLD)

New York City's Dropout Prevention Program's success depended on more than the usual commitment of resources, shared ideals, and dedicated people. A flexible planning framework was needed to overcome collaborators' mutual mistrust, identify common ground, and gain the support of line staff and top leadership in schools and in community…

Albertus Magnus College (Connecticut) has addressed the problem of declining enrollment offering a bachelor's degree program compressed into three years. Three full semesters are squeezed into an academic year. The semester is shortened by two weeks, but class time is lengthened. The third semester's tuition each year is discounted. (MSE)

The same family and community involvement seen in the Boston (Massachusetts) Whole Village Project has guided the efforts of six Maryland high schools to create school and family partnerships. All six schools are part of Maryland's Tomorrow dropout prevention initiative. (SLD)

This literature review demonstrates that dropouts follow a similar though inverse path compared to students who have attained academic excellence. Descriptions of at-risk students' characteristics lead to a discussion of the "loser's circle" of dropping out and strategies for attaining a "winner's circle" of academic excellence. (71 references)…

A Texas school district refined the state at-risk criteria, resulting in 22 individual at-risk categories. This study focused on the classification and followup of 4 cohorts, each of over 25,000 students, during the academic years 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90, and 1990-91. Among the findings were that being overage for grade level was a strong…

Des Moines, Iowa's School within a School is locally funded program of instruction in basic skills, career guidance, and counseling support to meet needs of at-risk seventh- to tenth-grade students attending city's comprehensive middle and high schools. Program evaluations indicate declining dropout rate, increased attendance, and progress toward…

Discusses the high drop-out rates in most Canadian provinces and social motivators for leaving school. Examines the extent to which allocation of provincial funds to local school systems influences the drop-out problem. Suggests that provincial compensatory funding has had limited but positive impact on drop-out rates. Recommends drop-out…

Unfocused general education should be eliminated in favor of tech prep/associate degree (TPAD) applied academics (along with college prep and vocational education). TPAD programs encourage potential dropouts to stay in school, prepare students for transfer to postsecondary education, and benefit students, employers, schools, colleges, communities,…