Describes a project that compared the attitudes of freshman engineering students to their status as sophomores, i.e., whether they remained in the engineering program. Showed that motivation, commitment to engineering, and strong high school records are indices of persistors in engineering. (MLH)

Family socioeconomic status, ability, high school curriculum, scholarship receipt, age, race, marital status, enrollment status, employment status, and type of college attended were examined. The importance of these factors varied widely with year of college completed. Results demonstrated that these factors cannot be molded into a single equation…

The history and status of research on college student attrition are reviewed, and research design and measurement deficiencies that have reduced the accuracy or usefulness of results or hindered appropriate policy formation are discussed. (MSE)

Comments on a recent study (Rodolfa, Rapaport, and Lee, 1983) investigating variables related to premature therapy termination. Suggests that the lack of connectedness to prior research may have limited results. (JAC)

Exploring the uses of human capital theory to an analysis of effective adult education, the author tests several hypotheses. Focusing on teacher characteristics, he examines whether trained teachers are better than untrained and whether dropout rates are affected by adult education teacher training. (SK)

Using data from High School and Beyond, a national longitudinal study of American high school students, the authors investigated who drops out, why one student drops out but not another, what dropouts do while peers remain in school, and what impact dropping out has on gains in tested achievement. (MT)

The school-leaving pattern of students aged 14 in 1978 was recorded by the Austin (Texas) Independent School District from 1978 to 1983, providing data on the socioeconomic, academic, and behavioral characteristics of dropouts and their reasons for dropping out. Several preventative measures are suggested. (PGD)

Dropping-out and grade level attainment among Mexican American migrant workers were investigated in South Texas. Various correlations among student attitudes, grade level, academic performance, family life, and demographic factors were examined. Factors that had a direct relationship with staying in school are discussed. (Author/DF)

A major concern of educators, counselors, and parents in the United States and throughout the world has been the costs and consequences of the high number of at-risk and dropout minority students. The intent of this paper is to explore the hypothesis that school counselors must know the implications of multicultural students' varied learning…

As a result of the findings in the present study it seems reasonable to suggest that verbal ability tests (including reading tests) be used as screening devices for entering adult students. (Authors)

Developing nations have placed high priorities on budgeting for education expenditures so reflect concern over early school leaving and its consequences to their economy. An analysis can give a basis for assessing the relevance or effectiveness of a school system. Here the purpose, scope, previous surveys, sources, organization, and terms are…

This report describes the study, its findings relative to recidivism and school withdrawal, the implications of the findings for planning preventive intervention services, and the implications of the findings for further research. (Author)

The dropout prevention model presented in this paper is derived from the assumption that dropping out of school is not totally a function of characteristics of youth who drop out. (Author)

Differentiating between the dropout and the failing student this study looks for the explanation of the process of dropping out, as opposed to a description of the individual who drops out. Examines the intake characteristics of dropouts and persisters. (RB)