The 1983 North Carolina Dropout Study and the 1988 North Carolina Follow-Up Dropout Study were conducted to provide baseline dropout data for North Carolina public high schools, to provide estimates of dropout rates, and to explore possible factors contributing to a student's decision to leave high school. The results of the 1983 study indicated…

Multiple discriminant analysis is an effective research tool to approach the problem of student attrition. Using this method, the small, liberal arts college can more accurately identify students who are likely to persist. Academic achievement and nonacademic variables are coupled to enhance the power of discriminant analysis. (RC)