In examining Sweden's problem with school failure, the paper notes the importance of understanding the problem on both the educational-political level and the economic, practical, and organizational levels. Discusses the criteria for defining school failure and examines the magnitude of the problem and investigates solutions. A statistical…

Data comparing employment patterns among high-school-age youth show that student employment is highly seasonal and concentrated in just a few industries and occupations, whereas dropouts tend to work year round and in a more diverse set of jobs. (Author)

Although British government initiatives are focusing on education and training for young adults, many have become disaffected and need to be persuaded that investment of time and money will pay off. A variety of motivational incentives designed to bring some stability to their lives is necessary to make them lifelong learners. (SK)

Uses High School and Beyond longitudinal study data to estimate extent to which school characteristics and teacher characteristics influence probability that public high school students will drop out between sophomore and senior years; and increases in nonleaving students' achievement test scores during the same two-year period. School and teacher…

Students ages 11-18 years (n=904) were administered the Michigan Alcohol and Other Drugs School Survey to determine level of inhalant use. Lifetime prevalence was 21.3%, with 12.6% reporting past year and 7.1% reporting past month use. Highest lifetime use (28%) was reported by "other" students (Native, Latin, Mexican, and Asian…

Each year, significant numbers of students withdraw from higher education, at considerable cost. To the institution, each withdrawal raises questions on admissions procedures, course and institutional information, student care, and finance. Driven by these concerns, this study determined to find out whether more support could be provided to…

For high school dropouts who last attempted the General Educational Development (GED) test in Florida and New York in 1989-1990, earnings of those without GEDs, least-skilled GED holders, and highest-skilled GED holders were compared. Higher GED scores were associated with higher earnings, except for white males. These earnings differences were as…

Using a longitudinal sample of eighth graders who lived with both biological parents in 1988, study estimates the increased risk of dropping out among students whose two-parent families experienced disruption over the subsequent four years. Results suggest that income is a significant contributor to the risk of dropping out for adolescents whose…

Combining prison survey and Current Population Survey data significantly reduces estimated employment rates for African Americans, young workers, and high school dropouts. Employment among young black male high school dropouts declined between 1982-1996. Labor force data that do not include incarceration statistics significantly understate…

Examined how the fulfillment of college expectations affects students' social integration. Path analysis showed that the fulfillment of social expectations for college positively affects both social integration and subsequent institutional commitment; the greater the degree of these, the more likely students will re-enroll in the university. (EV)

A study of 61 adults with at least a bachelor's degree and 44 high school dropouts showed that the latter perceived products with simply worded warnings as safer than those with difficult vocabulary. College-educated adults had more negative attitudes toward warnings with difficult words despite equal comprehension of both. (Contains 39…

Two alternative high schools, Renaissance School in Indianapolis, and Richard Milburn High School, a for-profit program, both emphasize small class size, nurturing teachers, and innovative programs to reach students who are turned off to school and sometimes everything else. (JOW)

Four years ago, to address disengaged students in Franklin, Tennessee, Williamson County School District turned to an alternative program called the middle-college high school. This concept allows high school students to complete their coursework on a college campus. More than 30 middle-college high schools serve disengaged students nationwide.…

In Atqasuk, Alaska, a catchy proverb has become the Meade River Schools' mission statement. When isolated from its community, the 85-student school had nearly a 100 percent dropout rate. Assisted by the community, the school improved academically and became a second home for students and community members. (MLH)

New York school superintendent describes his efforts to develop an alternative diploma especially for non-native-English speakers. (PKP)