A group of three conference papers, all addressing the subject of effective programs to decrease the number of school dropouts, is presented in this document. The first paper, "Systemic Approaches to Reducing Dropouts" (Michael Timpane), asserts that dropping out is a symptom of failures in the social, economic, and educational systems.…

Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, developed a course in practical writing skills for bilingual students as a means of reducing the dropout rate among vocational students, the largest group of Hispanic students in the institution. The objective was to provide writing skills through source materials with a…

America's economic future depends on the ability of educators to improve minority student retention and preparation. Demographic trends indicate that the economy will be dependent on the contributions of minority workers, who will comprise 60 percent of the labor force. Yet, school statistics indicate that 70 percent of Hispanic students and 28…

This bibliography update contains information on dropout attitudes, prevention, programs, rates, and research, as well as school-holding power at the secondary and postsecondary levels. Citations include conference papers, program descriptions, research reports, and statistical materials. Materials for inclusion in this bibliography were located…

Practices of attendance, suspension, and non-promotion in middle schools in Boston (Massachusetts) encourage at-risk students to drop out. School policies and practices, student data, and interviews with at-risk students were reviewed to determine which practices encourage disengagement from school. Personal narratives are included. Major findings…

Project SUCCESS, a combined bilingual education and college/career orientation program for Spanish speaking and Asian high school students of limited English proficiency, is described in this report. Located at Theodore Roosevelt High School in New York City, the program, in 1980-81, provided courses in English as a second language, English…

This manual provides step-by-step strategies and materials for recruiting and retaining minority students in secondary and postsecondary vocational education programs. Particular emphasis is placed on recruiting for training, education, and placement in high-growth, emerging occupations and on providing equal access to all vocational and technical…

Three papers pertaining to the General College Pilot Education Program (PEP), a retention effort undertaken by the General College, University of Minnesota, are presented. In "An Overview of the General College PEP Program in Its Second Year," C. P. Zanoni addresses the components of the program, evaluation efforts, and program costs.…

Results of participation in a Summer Bridge Program at the University of California, San Diego, in 1978 for 30 high-risk, minority group, and low-income students are discussed. The program is based on Tinto's (1975) theoretical synthesis of research on dropouts from higher education and is designed to increase a student's integration and…

This guide is a resource both for organizing and for managing adult literacy programs. Based on the collective input and refinement of national leaders in adult basic education, the handbook provides coverage of program planning, staff development, student recruitment and retention, instructional approaches and techniques, instructional materials,…

This teacher's manual accompanies a student workbook (CE 013 449) for minority groups who have been exposed to non-standard English or foreign language environments and/or who are in need of perfecting their English language skills. Focusing on the Hispanic culture, the student workbook is intended to serve as a guide to career awareness for…

Assessment of the special education needs of Indian children in the Aberdeen area and six possible courses of action for the Pierre Indian School are discussed in this evaluation. The first section reports in detail the findings of the needs assessment, which was conducted with a survey questionnaire completed by 137 individuals concerned with…

A brainstorming session and a literature review were conducted at Chabot College to determine alternative methods of serving those constituencies (about 5,000 per quarter) who register for courses but who either do not show up for class or who drop out before the second census week. The brainstorming session, held at the college's learning…

The specially funded program described in this report was implemented at the University of Minnesota's General College in Fall 1979 to promote the academic improvement and long-range retention of high-risk Black, Hispanic, and Native American students. After introductory material discussing the process involved in securing program funds from the…

On July 19, 1968, a Task Force on Vocational and Technical Education was created by the governor of Ohio to develop proposals for organization, financing, and legislation. Some major problems to which the Task Force gave attention were: (1) the serious gap between the need for and the availability of vocational and technical education, (2) the…