Describes the experiences of a young man from El Salvador and his eighth-grade second-language teacher as they watched other young El Salvadorans either drop out of school or accumulate insufficient credits to graduate. (RS)

This article describes an empirical investigation of the extent to which incorrect arithmetic algorithms persist over time. Results with 30 fourth-year and third-year English students over up to 3 months shed light on "bugs," or students' learning of incorrect concepts, and indicate that they are not very stable in children of this age.…

Among 31 completers of a workplace literacy program and 37 dropouts, those who belonged to in-class cliques were more likely to remain in class than the more socially isolated. Dropouts networked in the workplace with others of similar educational levels; finishers networked with workers of higher educational levels. (SK)

Examines the importance of a university-based community and perceived social support of family and friends in facilitating the growth and persistence in higher education of Latina students and Chicanas using a sample of 357 Chicana undergraduates. Factors that facilitate academic persistence are discussed. (SLD)

A two-year study of 57 nontraditional disadvantaged students in a preuniversity summer school found that success could not be predicted by family and educational background. Dropouts were less motivated and less suited to academic work and had poorer attitudes, whereas persisters were highly motivated and integrated into the institution. (SK)

A study explored 97 college freshmen's perceived stress and persistence as a function of attachment style. Students with secure attachment reported significantly less perceived stress than those with insecure attachment. Fewer students with secure attachment quit college than did students with insecure attachment. Stress scores and grade point…

Compared 3- and 5-year olds' recall of a pediatric examination in verbal versus enactment interviews. Found that children in the enactment condition provided more spontaneous, elaborate reports than did children in verbal interview. Enactment produced increased errors by 3-year olds one week after examination, by both age groups after six weeks.…

A four-year study of 84 preschool children (25 to 59 months) who stutter found a continuous diminution in the frequency and severity of stuttering over time as many children progressed toward recovery. Findings indicate a 74% overall recovery rate for stuttering and a 26% persistency rate. (CR)

This study used Tobit analysis to estimate retention probabilities and credit hours at two universities. Tobit was judged as appropriate for this problem because it recognizes the lower bound of zero on credit hours and incorporates this bound into parameter estimates and forecasts. Models are estimated for credit hours in a single year and…

At-risk adult literacy learners (n=20) were randomly assigned to a control group or one of three treatments: counselor-teacher team support, small-group instruction with students not at risk, or one-on-one tutoring. All in the treatment groups persisted longer than controls. The small group method was most effective for retaining students. (SK)

Discussion of student retention at community colleges identifies reasons for student failure and withdrawal, concluding that many students leave school for reasons such as emotional problems, poor motivation, and financial problems over which instructors have no control. Suggests too much emphasis on retaining ill-prepared students detracts from…

Surveys of students who had prematurely left six institutions of higher education in England during 1994-1996 generated 2,151 responses. Six main factors, led by dissatisfaction with the quality of the student experience, contributed to their non-completion. Other factors included wrong choice of field of study, age, gender, and academic subject…

Describes a program at Fontbonne College (Missouri) by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and Office of Multicultural Affairs that identified eight high-risk, first- and second-year students and matched them with four alumni mentors as part of a one-credit career management course. Evaluation showed improved academic performance…

Comparison of the first-year performance of 100 adults who entered the University of Glasgow via the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) with 89 who attended both SWAP and preuniversity summer school found few differences in persistence. However, patterns of prediction emerged, which could form the basis for interventions for those whose…

A study involving an elementary student with learning disabilities evaluated the effectiveness of a high-probability request sequence on compliance to a request for completion of a math assignment. High probability requests were effective in reducing the latency to compliance but only minimally affected duration of engagement. (Contains five…