This study analyzes the results of the increased access of students to postsecondary vocational education, especially in two-year colleges, in terms of completion rates and job placement. Data examined include the following: (1) initial enrollments in higher education; (2) fields of study in postsecondary education; (3) progress through…

This document summarizes the findings of a study of the reasons why some at-risk youth persist in special programs while others drop out. Information was gathered from 16 focus group sessions comprised of both "persisters" and "leavers" from in-school remedial programs and out-of-school youth service corps. The findings,…

This study developed predictive models on persistence and success in engineering at the end of the sophomore year by examining 11 intellective and 9 non-intellective variables. The project's long-term purpose was to contribute to the improvement of academic advising for students considering engineering majors and thus improve student retention.…

Results of a study of students enrolling at Germanna Community College (GCC) between fall 1981 and fall 1986 to compare the persistence and graduation rates of transfer and occupational-technical students are presented in this document. The study was limited to full-time, first-time students with a declared major. Major findings of the study are…

This study tested the convergent and discriminant validity between two theories of college persistence: the Student Attrition Model and the Student Integration Model. The study examined conceptual similarities for each theory to explain departure decisions and examined how both theoretical frameworks enhanced the understanding of the processes…

A study was conducted to examine the relationship between the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores of freshmen entering Brenau College in Georgia and the likelihood of graduation from the institution. The basic research question was: Do proportionately more students entering Brenau with combined SAT scores at or above 800 persist to graduation at…

A study of the Center for Literacy's (CFL) program was conducted to provide information on retention and attrition in an urban, open-entry/open-exit, individualized, goal-based literacy program. An exploratory analysis that used student and tutor records from 1985 through 1989 provided a summary of demographics and attendance patterns. This…

This report, one of a series of evaluation reports on the New York State Mentor Teacher-Internship Program, follows the experiences of intern teachers from the first year of the Program, 1986-87, and the second year, 1987-88. Follow-up questionnaires administered to the program interns focused on: (1) their overviews of the experience of being an…

The study sought to develop predictive models of persistence and success in baccalaureate engineering at the end of the sophomore year by analyzing 11 intellective and 9 non-intellective variables. A total of 1,043 students in the 1984 entering freshman class in the College of Engineering at Pennsylvania State University served as the population.…

This report provides a picture of students who entered a university engineering program and then persisted or left the program. It examines students' mathematical-mechanical abilities, psychological-motivational aspects, support services, and perceptions of the world of engineering work. It also identifies problems that women and blacks…

An induction system for beginning teachers should provide continued support in the instructional area and also induct the newcomer into the general operational and social milieu of the individual school. The following areas of concern in the process of teacher orientation are discussed: (1) What information is provided regarding the decision…

The impact of a Learning Assistance Center (LAC) program on the achievement and retention of disadvantaged students at a predominately Hispanic institution was evaluated over a two-year period. Tutoring was limited to freshmen and sophomores in the general subject areas of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and social studies. Trends for…

The Task Force on Teaching was asked to gather research, review literature, and collect testimony on improving teaching. Two papers are presented: (1) "Attracting and Retaining Talented Teachers" (Cindy K. Currence); and (2) "Building State Strategies to Attract and to Retain Talented Teachers" (Robert Palaich). This report…

To examine local dropout trends the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OCPS) documented the numbers and described the characteristics of those who dropped out in the 1985-86 school year. Local dropout rates were compared to those of other school districts and the nation as a whole. A dropout was defined as any student who is under age 18 and has not…

Predictors of success for black freshmen entering Xavier University of Louisiana with an interest in the health professions were studied. Health professions were considered as the mainline fields of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, and pharmacy. Students majoring in biology, chemistry, or…