Dan Bloom of MDRC examines policies and programs designed to help high school dropouts improve their educational attainment and labor market outcomes. So called "second-chance" programs, he says, have long provided some combination of education, training, employment, counseling, and social services. But the research record on their effectiveness…

This document presents a study of the effectiveness of the Job Training Partnership Act program Project STAY, designed to impact the dropout problem in Stockton, California area high schools. A literature review discusses dropout characteristics, schools that dropouts leave, employment opportunities for the general population and for dropouts,…

The organization, operations, participants, and achievements of the Neighborhood Youth Corps are described. Tables, graphs, and photographs also provide information on this program. (NH)

Dropouts are defined throughout this document (including in its graphic displays) as: early school leavers, expelled, intermittent learners, leftouts, pushouts, stopouts, suspended, and truants. Sufficient research has been done about school dropouts to begin a comprehensive solution. Schools and other institutions must mobilize the knowledge to…

THE PROGRAM ATTEMPTED TO ORIENT STUDENTS TO EMPLOYER DEMANDS, PROPER WORK HABITS AND ATTITUDES, AND VOCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND HOW AND WHERE TO SOLICIT WORK. ALL SEVENTH GRADERS WERE EXPOSED TO THE VOCATIONAL POSSIBILITIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE REGULAR CURRICULUM. IN THE EIGHTH AND NINTH GRADES, POTENTIAL…

Gives a brief description of Titles I through VIII of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 and urges teachers to investigate its opportunities. (MF)

A California Partnership Academy is a voluntary school-within-a-school program for at-risk high school students. The program is based on a partnership between a school district, local employers, and the California Department of Education. The following special features are outlined: (1) close partnership between the school and employers; (2) block…

The Portland School District addresses the dropout problem through programs which fall into the following categories: (1) keeping students engaged in meaningful learning according to their needs, and counseling if necessary, (2) placing students appropriately; (3) monitoring their performance and (4) intervening to prevent and recover dropouts.…

This document reports the results of a study to determine whether changes made in the Neighborhood Youth Corps' in-school component helped to decrease the school dropout rate among participants. Surveys of programs in Harris County, Texas, Norfolk, Virginia, and the Washington metropolitan area provided the data. Overall findings suggest that the…

Few researchers have studied the female dropout and too few dropout prevention programs are specifically designed to help girls complete high school. This paper describes programs and state policy initiatives that show promise in helping young women complete their education. They are used by schools and outside organizations to serve and encourage…

Research studies for use in planning, administering, and improving the in-school, summer, and out-of-school programs of the Neighborhood Youth Corps (NYC) were reviewed. Findings were analyzed from those studies that surveyed individual NYC projects or specific elements and those that attempted to develop and test ways to solve problems. Some…

The multiple causes and complex nature of the dropout problem require a variety of program approaches to help both at-risk students and dropouts. Twelve-Together (Detroit, Michigan), Adopt-a-Student (Atlanta, Georgia), and the Summer Youth Employment Program (New Bedford, Massachusetts) are supplemental services providing counseling and job…

California's Partnership Academies, which are conducted under the sponsorship of the state and aimed at dropout prevention for at-risk high school students, combine a modified curriculum and structure with the following elements: (1) a student selection process designed to enroll students with potential, but whose past performance places them at…

This report examines the following three aspects of Hispanic employment: (1) the consequences of leaving school without skills; (2) at-risk Hispanic youth as workers; and (3) the challenge of providing practical, rewarding jobs. Among the conclusions are the following: (1) several categories of at-risk Hispanic youth can receive long-range…

EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON STRENGHTENING INSTRUCTIONAL PLANS BY DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL RESOURCE MATERIALS AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF COORDINATORS TO CONSULT MORE FREQUENTLY WITH SUBJECT TEACHERS TO PLAN COOPERATIVELY FOR THE PROGRESS OF STUDENTS. STEP REMAINED EFFECTIVE IN MOTIVATING STUDENTS TO CONTINUE THEIR SCHOOLING TO GRADUATION, AS WELL AS IN…