Interviews with 498 undergraduate students who withdrew from a large western Canadian university and 153 students who continued their studies examined demographic, academic, financial, personal, and learning characteristics. Compares characteristics of students required to withdraw, those who withdrew formally, those who did not return, and…

Describes three case vignettes of college freshmen who are unhappy with their choice of schools early in their freshman years. Considers problems in dormitory living, academic pressures, and interpersonal problems. Discusses change in the campus environment in recent decades and the need for adult involvement in campus life. (NB)

This article describes children having emotional/behavioral disorders, presents data demonstrating the critical shortage of teachers for this population, discusses factors that contribute to this problem, and offers recommendations including giving teachers of these children an additional salary stipend and providing them the option of…

Describes a study conducted at a large urban community college to investigate relationships among stop-out behavior and demographic characteristics, enrollment patterns, and external commitments. Compares college graduates who enrolled continuously with those who stopped out at least once while completing course requirements. (DMM)

This historical study indicates that the optimism in the education of children with mental retardation, which surfaced in the midnineteenth century with the opening of two U.S. residential schools, soon turned to pessimism as results were less than expected and the possibility of custodial care in place of habilitation was considered. (Author/JDD)

Interviews with 12 experienced suburban expert teachers investigated their adaptive strategies which resulted in sustained exemplary performance in a working environment often characterized as professionally inadequate. Eight factors functioned as adaptive and supportive strategies, including a strong sense of mission and professional autonomy and…

Analysis of effects of different student financial aid types on year-to-year persistence of high school seniors of 1980 found social and educational background had differential effects at different points in the college experience, college experiences were influential, student aid had a positive effect on persistence, and loans promoted…

Studies the effects of explicitly teaching a problem-solving strategy on problem-solving ability, course average, course success, and student retention, focusing on two microeconomics courses. Indicates that teaching problem solving helps students with low problem-solving skills remain in class and succeed. (DMM)

Grade point average, grades in departmental and other courses, and evaluations by cooperating teachers for 160 agricultural education graduates at Ohio State University showed grades were higher in departmental courses; 90 percent received state certification; over 48 percent did not enter teaching; certification status and grades in student…

A study of over 200 Belgian and U.S. labor grievances showed that persistence through several episodes was risky but positively related to satisfaction with outcomes. Focus on formulation of grievances and behavioral analysis provide a model for managing grievances that favorably influences worker beliefs about the organization. (SK)

Examines the effects of social influences on undergraduates' decisions to leave or remain at the university where they began their higher education. Reports that, with other variables held constant, effects of social influences on students' persistence remained significant. Finds that parents and peers have stronger influence than faculty on the…

Examines the characteristics differentiating those who persist to graduation from those who drop out in older (over age 25) undergraduate women. Comparative analysis of 192 graduates and 38 dropouts is discussed. Although motivations for persistence are complex, it is suggested that college outreach programs to increase retention of older female…

Examined relationship of first-year intervention to institutional integration, academic success, and persistence of resident and commuter first-year students (n=629) at predominantly nonresidential university. Found group differences on social integration and gender differences on academic success. Higher percentage of intervention participants…

Surveyed college administrators, faculty, support staff, and students (total n=211) to assess retention efforts at small college. Found both differences and similarities among groups. Findings suggest that progress has been made in improving retention efforts. Results revealed that respondents did not always perceive close relationship between…

Studies Kennedy-King College's low level of persistence among African-American "nontraditional" male students, and the resulting high rate of departure before completing specified goals. Proposes a model of persistence to develop modes of action, program enhancements, and activities within the college to increase persistence level. (24…