If the State of Ohio is to grow and prosper, it must raise the education level of its population. The goal of this 10-year strategic plan is to raise the educational attainment of the state each year, and to close the gap between Ohio and competitor states and nations. To accomplish this goal stakeholders must do three things: (1) Graduate more…

Forty years ago, 96% of six-year-old children were enrolled in first grade or above. As of 2005, the figure was just 84%. The school attendance rate of six-year-olds has not decreased; rather, they are increasingly likely to be enrolled in kindergarten rather than first grade. This paper documents this historical shift. We show that only about a…

Teachers and administrators in public high schools recognize there is a dropout problem, know they are confronted with daunting challenges in classrooms and in schools, and express strong support for reforms to address high dropout rates. Yet, less than one-third of teachers believe that schools should expect all students to meet high academic…

This paper presents a synthesis of the literature reporting the experiences nationally of alternative schools, particularly in the realm of preventing school dropouts and reaching those who have already left school. Characteristics of alternative schools are described, including structure, reputation, and purposes. The dropout problem is…

In an effort to prevent dropouts and improve student self-concept, a Wisconsin high school developed a program establishing caring relationships between faculty and students called "one-to-one." (MD)

This document consists of a compilation of partnership activities and programs relating to dropout prevention. Emphasis is placed on activities occurring in Florida, although there are some national organizations and programs highlighted in the report. The report is intended to provide the reader with an awareness of the different ways…

The relationship of reading ability to the dropout problem is discussed. (CK)

Early assessment grades are recorded and distributed each semester to selected students at Muskingum College. The assumption is that students will take adverse signals and respond positively, leading to fewer academic difficulties and higher retention. This paper examines the validity of such assumptions by considering the probability that an…

This booklet addresses the issues of school attendance, truancy, chronic absenteeism, and the problems faced by school dropouts. An introduction to these topics is followed by a series of questions and answers on school attendance and absenteeism. Questions focus on why students are absent from school, what they do when they are truant, how they…

This document contains, in chronological order, all articles related to dropouts that have appeared in the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) Newsletter from 1986 to 1989. The articles are: (1) "The Prevention and Recovery of Dropouts: An Action Agenda" (Robledo); (2) "Coca Cola Valued Youth Partnership Program Results of Second…

IT WAS MAINTAINED THAT SOCIALIZATION IN MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES PREPARED YOUTH TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY IN SCHOOL WHILE IN LOWER-CLASS FAMILIES, CHILDREN WERE NOT TRAINED TO CONFORM TO ACADEMIC (FORMAL) AND SOCIAL (INFORMAL) REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHOOL. FRUSTRATION AROSE FROM STATUS DEPRIVATION AMONG THE LOWER CLASSES IN THEIR ACTIVITIES IN BOTH THE…

There are two types of poor: the upwardly mobile and the stationary poor. The children of the latter present the greatest challenge to the public school system. Living in crowded quarters, poorly nourished, and given little preparation for the outside world, these children seem destined to fail. Their semiliterate mothers and fathers, if they have…