This report focuses on underschooling in the State of New York. The study provides statistics on dropouts, examines students' reasons for leaving school, and analyzes the school histories of dropouts with respect to patterns of disruption, truancy, and academic failure. Suggestions of school administrators and dropouts on how students might be…

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter examines rebellion against authority in high school from the perspective of school status theories. Extending such theories beyond concern with the immediate response to academic status and structural inequality, this paper addresses the broader issue of…

The purpose of this practicum was to develop strategies to reduce the dropout rate at Spalding Junior High, Unit 1, Griffin, Georgia. Potential dropouts were identified and specific strategies were used to assist students in solving problems which caused them to become potential dropouts. Some of the strategies developed were: (1) faculty…

Describes educational models developed by Good Shepard Sisters for youths with records of school failure and chronic truancy. Highlights community schools for chronic truants; the CORA-Neumann program in Philadelphia; off-campus teenage residence groups; a highly structured school and camp program; and a day school for severely behaviorally…

This digest presents an overview of successful urban anti-truancy strategies, including both supports and penalties for students and their families. It is generally believed that to prevent truancy a sustained, multifaceted, and personalized program for each student must be developed. Community collaboration is essential to these efforts, as the…

This publication of the California Association of School Psychologists includes articles written by practitioners, trainers, and students. The topics represent a sampling of the broad range of students that school psychologists are asked to serve today. Two articles discuss current findings relevant to working with the populations of students who…

Describes a pilot project for pupil tutoring in which six "persistent truants" (aged 15 plus) were placed in a primary school to tutor 12 children ages five through eight who had been identified as "slow learners" by their teacher. (Author/CT)

Studies the complex layers making up a school culture and their effect on the routine organizational decision in handling truancy. Findings suggest school cultures, although unified at the organizational level, are inconsistent at the subcultural or individual level. Members can exercise greater flexibility within the organization but also can…

The study evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based court intervention aimed at reducing truancy in a large urban school district. A quasi-experimental design was used to assess attendance outcomes for 567 truants matched on demographics and drawn from three categories of intervention (no court referral, traditional court referral, and…

This compilation pulls together the most recent resources concerning students at risk, summarizing and displaying a number of sources dealing with this issue. The articles represent two major areas: (1) policy and studies and (2) programs and projects. This information includes summaries of studies done at a national level as well as programs…

This paper describes an American Indian reservation's alternative secondary school which was designed to improve high risk students' attendance, basic skills, and self-image in preparation for transition to the public high school. Students: (1) had been expelled from public or boarding school; (2) had been referred by a social service agency; (3)…

To be a marginal student is to experience a strained, difficult relationship with the school environment. It is crucial to understand marginality and to analyze its extent in today's schools. The more intractable problems of school learning are most effectively addressed at an early stage when the relationship between individual and school…

Spurred by a national dropout rate of 25 percent, educators are examining causes of leaving school early, identifying high risk students, and devising student retention programs. This paper profiles the potential dropout, describes 10 characteristics of effective student retention programs, and describes three exemplary programs in Colorado,…

This paper provides a general overview of a major study of student absenteeism as well as a narrower look at the problems associated with measuring student absences. The study data came from questionnaires completed by students, teachers, and administrators at six high schools in two urban districts in the western United States; interviews with…

This study examined the form and availability of alternative education programs in suburban Cook County, Illinois, public secondary schools. Alternative education was defined as any special program that is directed to specific academic, emotional, and/or work training needs of students. A survey was submitted to school districts to gather…