This manual was produced to familiarize data users with the procedures followed in data collection and processing of the fifth follow-up survey of the National Longitudinal Survey of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS-72) and to provide documentation for use of the file. The data file is a computerized data base, which is available on magnetic…

A group of high school self-reported dropouts and a group of simulated high school dropouts were compared with graduates in their participation rates, efforts required for data collection, and the overall quality of their responses in the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972. The results indicate that dropouts are less…

The National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS) is a large-scale longitudinal survey effort. The current data tapes contain base-year (1972) survey data integrated with first follow-up (1973) survey data. The base-year data consist of responses to a Student Questionnaire, the results of an ability test, and information from…

The status of the high school class of 1972, as it was two years after graduation in October 1974, is described in terms of questionnaire survey responses. Students from 1,153 high schools participated and 20,872 students responded to the questionnaire out of the total group of 23,451. The development, administration, and reliability of the survey…