An overview of issues and problems in identifying and predicting dropouts is presented in this Digest. The topics discussed are as follows: factors associated with dropping out; defining and calculating dropouts; problems in prediction; the usefulness of current prediction models; and suggestions for improving prediction. The recommendation is…

This is the third edition of a new generation of reports on dropouts for the school district of Saginaw, Michigan. The dropout rate is specified as the percentage of students who leave school in any one year, adjusting for those who moved in and out of the district, whereas retention rate is defined as the percentage of ninth graders who graduate…

The methods and formula developed by the National Center for Education Statistics for the collection of dropout counts and the formula have been topics of some discussion among various states, including Nevada, and especially Arizona. This paper highlights, from a state's perspective, some of the conceptual, methodological, and statistical…

Findings from a study of administrators' perceptions of student dropout causes and possible interventions are presented in this paper. Current dropout literature was categorized into four sources of student withdrawal from school--schools, parents, peers, and students. A national survey of 650 secondary principals and 650 superintendents produced…

This position paper was written to answer a series of basic questions frequently asked about attrition and retention at Empire State College (ESC), New York. The questions addressed in the report are: (1) What is the attrition rate at ESC? (2) How does ESC's attrition rate compare to other colleges? (3) Who are the leavers? (4) When does attrition…

This document presents a study of the effectiveness of the Job Training Partnership Act program Project STAY, designed to impact the dropout problem in Stockton, California area high schools. A literature review discusses dropout characteristics, schools that dropouts leave, employment opportunities for the general population and for dropouts,…

Reasons why students studying business administration withdrew from Fayetteville Technical Institute (North Carolina) were examined. Questionnaires mailed to a random sample of 30 former students were completed by 26 dropouts who had been enrolled at the institute during 1981-1982. Responses from 26 students were classified as nonsocietal or…

The impact of financial assistance on students' decisions on whether to discontinue college studies was investigated. Students enrolled in either two- or four-year institutions were included. Grants, loans, and college work-study funds were considered as financial aid. A casual model was used to illustrate how withdrawal was affected by…

This study of dropout statistics in West Virginia in school year 1984-85 presents the data in the form of graphs. Each graph is followed by a one sentence conclusion and a question or questions about the dropout problem. Topics and questions covered are as follows: (1) was the dropout involved in Educational Consolidation Improvement Act (ECIA) or…

The large number of dropouts estimated by the California State Department of Education has caused concern for educators, lawmakers, and the general public. A 1985 investigation of the graduation rate of the 1979 freshman class of San Juan High School was conducted which also sought to identify logistical problems with the collection of data needed…

Treatment attrition is a major problem for programs treating adolescent substance abusers. To isolate and cross validate factors which are predictive of addiction treatment attrition among adolescent substance abusers, screening interview and diagnostic variables from 119 adolescent in-patients were submitted to a discriminant equation analysis.…

Study conclusively demonstrated that a special academic program in which positive reinforcement techniques were used is an effective way of changing attitude toward school and self. (Author)

The paper undertakes an exhaustive treatment of the subject of discontinuation as it relates to the Canada Manpower Training Program. The results revealed that discontinuation was determined by place of residence, the job an individual holds, his attitude towards the course, general economic conditions, and his personal characteristics. (Author/BP)

A survey of 194 California high schools.