The General Educational Development (GED) credential is often considered to be the equivalent of a high school diploma for students who do not graduate from high school. A GED credential can expand opportunities in the labor market (Song and Hsu 2008) and in postsecondary education for those who obtain it. Nearly all postsecondary institutions (98…

In spring 1984, a three-part withdrawal study was conducted at Glendale (Arizona) Community College (GCC) to investigate reasons for course withdrawal, and official and unofficial college withdrawal. Study findings, based on responses from 138 students who withdrew from courses, 282 students who officially withdrew from GCC, and 9 students who…

Three follow-up surveys were conducted by Greenfield Community College (GCC) from 1979 through 1980 to determine selected information about: (1) "stopouts," that is, students who were enrolled in either a Spring or Fall semester, but who did not reenroll for the subsequent semester; and (2) persons who were accepted for admission, but…

This study looks beyond the individuals who drop out to determine the role of schools in the dropout process. It presents a profile of dropouts including the following characteristics: (1) low socioeconomic status, (2) poor school performances, and (3) in-school delinquency. It also addresses the reasons students give for dropping out. The data…

This report describes a study on the characteristics, economic achievement, and educational status of dropouts who left selected Wisconsin high schools in 1967-68, 1972-73, and 1975-76. The report discusses the background and objectives of the study, the research methods used, survey findings, and conclusions. Among the findings are that (1) more…

This, the third of three reports on a study of returning students attending Toronto Secondary Schools during the 1977-1978 academic year, provides indepth information about a sample of returning students and their non-returning counterparts on the following topics: (1) student characteristics; (2) circumstances surrounding leaving school; (3)…

A study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to determine why students withdrew from courses at two off-campus centers. Surveys were administered to a sample of 54 degree credit and 46 continuing education students who withdrew from classes at Hawthorne Center (HC) in fall 1981, and to 56 degree credit and 44 continuing education…

In winter 1992, a survey was conducted by the Arrowhead Community College Region (Minnesota) to determine why nonreturning full-time students had failed to return to Arrowhead colleges. A questionnaire was mailed to all fall 1991 nonreturning students, followed by a second mailing two weeks later to all non-respondents. Of the 421 nonreturning…

In 1991, a study was conducted at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), in Kansas, of "leavers," those students who were once enrolled at JCCC, but did not graduate, transfer to another institution, or complete a career program. Questionnaires were mailed to 1,860 students identified as leavers who had been enrolled at JCCC during…

A study was conducted to provide descriptive information about dropout rates by various subgroups, their reported reasons for dropping out, and some activities after leaving school. As part of the longitudinal study, High School and Beyond, the National Center for Education Statistics surveyed 30,000 sophomore and 28,000 senior high school…

Each year, in order to determine the factors that influence student attrition, Vancouver Community College (VCC) selectively surveys former students who dropped out (discontinuants) of occupational programs on VCC's three main campuses. Former students were surveyed regarding their personal characteristics, main goals for coming to VCC, activities…

During spring 1991, a study was conducted at San Diego City College (SDCC) in California to explore the various factors which motivate students to drop out, propose remediation strategies based on the research findings, and suggest further studies to identify and analyze problem areas more explicitly. To examine students' reasons for dropping out,…

Findings are presented for each of five surveys conducted by North Harris County College using the Texas Student Information System (TEX-SIS). The report first presents and discusses the results of an educational intent survey, based on responses from approximately 7,395 students registered in credit hour courses during 1977-78. Results of a…

The characteristics and pathways of school leavers in Australia were examined by analyzing data on the cohort of Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) young people who were in year 9 in 1995 along with data on previous cohorts of teenagers. Only 79% of members of the study cohort remained in secondary school until the end of year 12. In…

The changing patterns of noncompletion of school in Australia during the 1980s and 1990s and the outcomes of noncompletion were examined by analyzing data from the Australian Longitudinal Survey and the Australian Youth Survey. Despite improvements in completion rates among youths from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds and those in…