Examined educational goals and personal characteristics (values and attitudes) of academically successful and unsuccessful men and women engineering students. Confirmed the college-fit theory: If the values, goals, and attitudes of a student correspond to those of an institution, the student is likely to remain at the institution. (PAS)

Results from this investigation of teacher beliefs about various facets of the broad-ranging perceptual deficit hypothesis and its relationship to reading and learning problems indicate that there is a large discrepancy between publication of research efforts and widespread awareness or acceptance of these results by practitioners. (Author/MP)

Compared some characteristics of Black female high school dropouts with a group of graduates previously perceived as potential dropouts. Results indicated that students' age, employment status, involvement in church, and involvement in activities outside of school are related to Black female persistence in high school. (RC)

This article focuses on some of the humiliating practices forced on secondary teachers--practices which discourage and drive away productive and talented individuals. Included are: presence of nonlearners in the classroom, lack of opportunity for teacher participation in decision making, and lack of esteem given teachers by the public. (KC)

Investigated the relationship between locus of control and achievement, and the relationship of locus control and attrition with adult students (N=86) in an upgrading program. Found a significant difference between the internal and external groups in attrition with the internal individuals demonstrating a greater degree of persistence. (Author)

A study examined interactions among students' grades, hours worked in paid employment, and semester hours completed. Three generalizations emerged: (1) academic success varied with ability; (2) advisors do not suggest lighter academic loads for working students; and (3) advice giving students too much free time may reduce their academic…

Inflation affects students, school employees, and educational budgets. Need for higher income encourages students and teachers to leave school systems for temporary higher paying alternatives. This transfer out of the school hampers the potential quality of the educational foundation, making inflation a detrimental factor to the quality of future…

Comparable groups of undergraduate students, withdrawers and persisters, were surveyed and compared in terms of their self-perceived parental expectations of academic success. Students who entered college directly from high school reported greater parental expectations of success than transfer students. Withdrawers reported less parental…

Describes a study to identify differences in alienation feelings and attitudes toward school between dropouts and persisters. Indicates that dropouts have greater feelings of alienation, meaninglessness, and powerlessness, and more negative attitudes toward school and former teachers than do persisters. Briefly describes Focus, a dropout…

Although the administrator and board of education are primarily responsible for teacher employment in small school districts, the community can provide additional recruitment incentives and should accept some responsibility for a quality education program. Recruitment and maintenance of teachers must become a joint venture between community and…

A study investigated when medical students are at greatest risk of academic failure and which cognitive or noncognitive factors place them at risk. Subjects were 658 medical students matriculating at Wake Forest University (North Carolina) over five years. Results suggest the majority of academic delays occur in the first two years. Specific…

Seventy-one successful adults with learning disabilities were studied to identify success strategies that could be used in teaching children with learning disabilities to boost their achievement. Identified strategies included preparation, desire to succeed, goal orientation, persistence, and learned creativity. For each strategy, specific…

Recent research on college student attrition is examined for trends, and it is suggested that the common perspective on retention and attrition is too narrow; it should be viewed from three perspectives: within-course retention; program retention; and institutional retention rate. Recommended for retention (R) is early (E) identification (Id) plus…

Presents findings from a study of the relationship between the characteristics of 3,762 Connecticut 2-year college students 25 or older and their persistence to 4-year colleges. Reports that students with higher perceptions of social and institutional support and those over 35 were more likely to persist to 4-year institutions. (10 citations) (AJL)

Believes that mentoring helps new music teachers remain in the profession. Discusses the use of mentoring, focusing on the benefits of mentors for new teachers, mentor programs, and tools for mentors. Includes stories about teachers with mentors as well as a bibliography of resources. (CMK)