Biographical and attitudinal characteristics of dropout college students are compared with students who did not drop out. It was proposed that these nonintellective characteristics have an effect on attrition greater than academic ability. Results are discussed. (Author/CG)

Symposium participants identified policy issues in these areas related to alternative education for at-risk youth: choice, equity, public perception, definition, philosophy, stakeholder involvement, evaluation, staffing, curriculum, governance, and financing. Public discourse and policy discussion were considered essential to implementing…

Examined secondary students' perceptions of a program that addressed the academic and occupational needs of students at risk of dropping out. Survey data indicated that students considered the program useful in relation to choosing and preparing for a career. However, they noted that information presented tended to be out of date and that required…

Examines New York State's initiative to address high school dropout rates, finding that few of the 12 pilot sites had explicit links to adult education. Suggests that adult basic education can be a driving force in a community to educate, assemble, organize, and facilitate discourse to support dropout prevention strategies. Urges adult educators…

Findings from a literature review on dropout prevention were integrated with suggestions from Oregon educators. Ideas included examples of universal interventions (such as student advisory programs), dropout interventions for at-risk students (such as community-based learning), and interventions for individual students (wraparound interventions).…

Career academies in Philadelphia have evolved over the past 30 years. A comprehensive review of their effectiveness found that students have better attendance and grades, higher self-esteem and satisfaction with school, and lower dropout rates. (JOW)

Argues that dropout prevention programs which promote reading success while keeping students on grade level must begin early and be staffed by teachers who believe they can make a difference and who foster positive self-concepts in their students. (MG)

Discusses how business teachers can get students to stay in school and learn problem solving in context with teaching basic business knowledge and information processing and computer skills. (JOW)

Implemented Success in School program which focuses on dropout prevention with fifth-grade students (N=37). Self-reports indicated students saw themselves in a more positive light and were able to predict future successes for themselves. Recommends school programs that help students improve their self-esteem as strategy to reduce ultimate dropout…

Schools are experimenting with community service programs. Among these are service-based intervention programs for at-risk children and K-12 curricula of community service. Cites examples, the characteristics of effective programs, and proposed federal legislation. (MLF)

This literature review focuses on the dropout phenomenon in general education, discussing interventions, dropout characteristics, and consequences of dropping out, and emphasizing literature on special education dropouts. The paper concludes by discussing implications for research and service programs that can address the dropout problem in…

A South Carolina school district is working with researchers at Johns Hopkins University on a long-term intervention plan to boost the district on-time graduation rate to 80 percent by the year 2001. Increasing students' chances of staying at grade level reduces the chances they will drop out. (MLF)

Effective schools research and techniques are useful in developing dropout prevention strategies. The success of these programs depends on a school's adherence to certain variables asssociated with teacher and administrator characteristics and behaviors, school climate, instructional emphasis, and pupil progress measurement. Includes five…

High school seniors from 13 schools in a suburban Southern community responded to a questionnaire concerning reasons that they stayed in school rather than dropping out. Results suggest that school personnel demonstrated specific behaviors that were conducive to keeping potential dropouts in school. (Author)

Evaluated effects of Mississippi Department of Corrections' Project AWARE Program, nonconfrontational prisoner-run juvenile delinquency deterrence program. Compared offenses and school attendance records of 97 adjudicated juvenile delinquent males who attended program and 79 adjudicated nonparticipants. Program participation did not appear to…