School suspension rates have been rising since the early 1970s, especially for children of color. One body of research has demonstrated that suspension from school is harmful to students, as it increases the risk of retention and school dropout. Another has demonstrated that school dropouts impose huge social costs on their states and localities,…

The problem of high school dropouts has generated increased interest among researchers, policymakers, and educators in recent years. This paper examines the many issues involved in trying to understand and solve this complex social and educational problem. The issues are grouped into four areas, related to the incidence, causes, consequences, and…

Policy makers are especially concerned about persistently high dropout rates among U.S. Latinos, the largest minority population in the United States. This study used a national longitudinal database to show that the behavioral and social aspects of schooling are dynamically linked in the process of school completion and dropout among Mexican…

This chapter examines the current state of research and knowledge about the Chicano dropout problem. In 1986, in every age group, dropout rates were higher for Chicanos than for Whites or other ethnic or racial groups. National dropout rates have improved slightly for Hispanic and Mexican-origin populations since 1980 but remain more than twice as…

Examined the incidence of student mobility between the 8th and 12th grades and its effect on high school completion using the National Educational Longitudinal Survey third follow-up. Findings suggest that student mobility is both a symptom of disengagement and an important risk factor for high school dropout. (SLD)

Using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 with hierarchical linear modeling, this study identified individual-level and school-level variables influencing the decision to drop out of middle school. At the individual level, grade retention is the single most powerful predictor. (SLD)

One of the most important indicators of educational performance is the high school dropout rate. Reducing dropout rates and improving high school graduation rates are important goals for both educators and policymakers. Yet there is a great deal of controversy about how best to measure dropout and graduation rates. This issue of EL Facts provides…

Investigated how family processes influence high school student dropout behavior. Used a sample of 114 dropouts from 1 California high school, 48 of whom were matched to similarly profiled continuing students. Identified factors that explain students' dropout decisions: permissive parenting, negative parental reactions to grades, excessive…

Examines the issues involved in trying to understand and solve the problem of high school dropouts. Issues are grouped into four categories that cover the incidence, causes, consequences, and solutions to the dropout problem. Current research and areas of future research are considered. (RB)

Examines the experiences of high school dropouts from the United States and Australia in the first 2 years beyond high school. Finds differences in the experiences of dropouts in the U.S. compared with those in Australia, as dropouts in Australia are more likely to participate in post-school education and training and more likely to settle into…

The high school dropout problem in 1979 and the reasons students leave school were examined. Results indicated that women were more likely to leave because of pregnancy or marriage and men because of work. Family background strongly influenced dropout behavior and accounted for almost all racial differences in dropout rates. (Author/LC)

Documents recent differences (by race, sex and age) in the educational experiences of high school and college youth. High school experiences examined include attitudes toward school, academic performance, courses taken, and dropping out; college experiences cover participation, attendance patterns, major field of study, and sources of financial…

This report examines student mobility among California Latino adolescents. Latinos are now the largest ethnic group in the California schools; if student mobility is indeed a problem for both students and schools, it is important to understand the consequences of changing schools for Latino adolescents. Longitudinal data were studied for two…