Examining the rural self-help or "harambee" movement in Kenya, this article presents data indicating: education projects consistently account for nearly half of all self-help when measured by either project value or volume at the national level, while agriculture and health related activities, at 10 percent each, represent the second…

The isolating atmosphere of a college was a significant factor in student attrition and that attrition in turn cost the small college more than one percent of its total annual operating budget of $8,000,000. The methodology of relating student attrition problems to quality of life issues is discussed. (Author)

Attrition rates suggest that special programs for minority students serve the revolving door function. The responsibility for moving disadvantaged students toward the actualization of their true potential rests equally with the institution, the program administrators and the students. (JP)

A study that investigated the effect on return rates of personalizing the cover letter and including precoded personal information on a mail questionnaire is discussed. A survey of 196 students dropping out of courses offered by a distance education university provided the opportunity to conduct the study reported. (Author/MLW)

Vocational programs offer a clear alternative to students who have difficulty thriving in a traditional academic environment. They are an important part of any effort to keep at-risk youth in school long enough to prepare them for a decent future. (JOW)

Describes Jobs through Education and Training (JET), a program for dropouts that offers vocational training, remedial academics, and individual and group therapy. JET serves young people whose problems make them unable to function effectively in a public school environment. (JOW)

Vocational education is one effective educational resource for teen parents because it emphasizes many of the skills necessary for making the transition to the work force or postsecondary education. (JOW)

Social environment theory was used to determine the relation of adult dropout behavior to the social ecology of the classroom. The Classroom Environment Scale was administered to 77 adults in General Educational Development classes. Dropouts expected a classroom environment characterized by less social involvement with other students. (Author/CH)

The school dropout problem is discussed, with suggestions for parents on ensuring that their children do not become part of the dropout population, including; monitoring children's school attendance patterns; making sure children understand how important school and attendance is; maintaining close contact with teachers; and helping children…

An interdisciplinary intervention program for adolescent parents and expectant parents combined educational and counseling efforts within a regular school setting to provide information, support, and opportunity for personal growth. Program organization and implementation and implications for health professionals are discussed. (Author/DF)

Reports on a three-year study of youth released from correctional high schools. Only 1.6 percent of those released eventually finished high school after release. Recommends that correctional schools therefore teach life and work competencies rather than offer traditional high school classes. (CH)

This study challenged the assumption that all adults who did not complete high school are representative of the same low literate population. The 15-month qualitative study entailed conducting 79 in-depth biographical interviews with a diverse group of subjects. Several underlying concepts appeared to influence the adult development of the…

In this study, the data suggest that rising unemployment increases pupil motivation and thereby acts as an instrument of social control in schools as well as in the labor market; less equivocally, the data challenge current arguments alleging the demotivating and demoralizing effect of unemployment on school pupils. (Author/CT)

Addressed the therapy dropout problem by contacting 46 clients and assessing pretherapy to posttreatment follow-up changes in psychiatric symptoms. Results showed that the most common reason given for dropping out was no further need for services, which is inconsistent with the belief that dropouts are treatment failures. (LLL)

No state can afford to have the percentage of young people who are failing to finish high school remain at the present levels nor can they afford to ease the standards. This document discusses the following 10 strategies that states can implement to raise achievement and increase high school completion rates: (1) Initiate a transition program for…