The dimensions and consequences of college student attrition and features of institutional action to deal with attrition are discussed. Patterns of student departure from individual colleges as opposed to permanent college withdrawal are addressed. After synthesizing the research on multiple causes of student leaving, a theory of student departure…

This monograph was written to provide information on which students drop out of school and why, and to examine successful dropout prevention programs. Research is reviewed which has identified characteristics of dropouts and their reasons for leaving school. Other studies are cited which explore characteristics of effective dropout prevention…

This study concerns school dropouts in the Boston Public School system. It is divided into three sections which deal with: (1) a review of research studies on the causes of school dropout; (2) statistical analysis of the Boston situation by race and ethnic origin, gender, grade, and location; and (3) a review of prevention/intervention programs,…

Students have needs for counseling assistance in the areas of understanding themselves, relating to others, getting through school, and planning for college or work. Guidance programs often react to student problems rather than prevent them. California Senate Bill 813 provided $20 per tenth grade student to assure that each student would receive a…

This report on the high proportion (25 percent) of California high school students who drop out is divided into five major sections. The first discusses the historical shifts in reform efforts to address, alternately, "relevance" and "excellence." It finds that high school students are now more bored and apathetic than…

An educational/continuing education program was implemented for single parents/homemakers and pregnant teenagers. The program provided training in parenting skills, childhood growth and development, responsibilities of parenthood, the rights of children, decision-making skills, and vocational guidance and directions. Increased opportunity was…

The relationship between dropping out of high school and substance use was explored using the 1984 National Longitudinal Survey of Young Adults. Relevant research literature is reviewed. Cross-sectional data indicated that high school dropouts were more involved with cigarettes and illicit drugs than were graduates and that those who obtained a…

Under Chapter 2 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act, local school district funds are supplemented in basic skills development, educational improvement and support services, and special programs. For the 1984-85 year, in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District, some of the Chapter 2 discretionary funds were allocated to four…

This interim report examines the second-year implementation of dropout prevention programs in the 42 public schools that are part of the New York Dropout Prevention Initiative (NYDPI). Evaluators employed both qualitative and quantitative methodologies in gathering data on the 29 middle school and 13 high school program sites, and on the…

The study examines the relationship between success upon leaving an alternative school program and immediate measures of program effect. The strength of the relationship was used to determine the degree to which the program effected its long term goals of preparing students for future academic or vocational success. Student success was defined as…

This study examined characteristics of programs in which students were enrolled to determine which activities were most effective in dealing with dropouts. The study attempted to validate program components that have previously been associated with retentive capacity. Seventy-six exemplary programs for dropouts were selected to participate in the…

As the 21st century rapidly approaches, America will be directly confronted with the reality that its nationwide public education system has failed to adequately and accurately train its future generation of citizens. Socioeconomic status and race have been implicated as the two biggest factors related to dropping out. Current researchers have…

This report describes the success of SWAS (School Within a School), an early dropout intervention program designed for average to above-average at-risk middle school students selected by the assistant principal. SWAS is a temporary self-contained institution within Davisville Middle School, North Kingstown, Rhode Island. As a prerequisite to…

Local school dropout programs are surveyed to identify the approaches used to prevent or overcome dropping out and to obtain views of local program administrators about dropout problems and programs. The programs had the following basic elements in common: (1) poor and minority teenagers who have multiple problems are targeted; (2) multiple…

It is uncertain what a college reading program can do to enhance retention of college students who leave before graduating. Unfortunately, studies of college reading instruction's impact on grade point average (GPA) have not produced clear results. Additional content instruction, however, has been found to have significant impact on GPA's. Still,…