Argues that dropout prevention programs which promote reading success while keeping students on grade level must begin early and be staffed by teachers who believe they can make a difference and who foster positive self-concepts in their students. (MG)

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Stimulus Shell Game?: U.S. Department of Education's Inspector General Warns that Some States are Using Education…

What is the relationship between retention, drop-out and graduation rates? Retention of low-achieving students is one of the most controversial and complex issues educational leaders face, despite a half century of research that has shown consistently that any gains in achievement are short-lived, and the long-term effects for retained students…

We tested the hypotheses derived from investment theory that quality of alternatives and institutional preference exert additive and interactive effects on institutional commitment in a sample of 1166 first-year college students at a large state university, who were surveyed within two weeks of the start of their first semester. As predicted, a…

This paper provides important new insights into the reasons for the observed gap in educational attainment between children of immigrants and natives in Denmark using a dynamic discrete model of educational choices to determine at what stages of their educational careers children of immigrants face barriers to educational progression and how…

A study examined the rates of and reasons for students leaving New Hampshire summer vocational programs and identified models that could be implemented to reduce attrition over the summer in these vocational programs. After examining 1981 enrollment data pertaining to New Hampshire regional center vocational program leavers, researchers determined…

THE STATE'S 15,170 DROPOUTS IN GRADES 8 THROUGH 12 IN 1962-63 REPRESENTED 5 PERCENT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS ENROLLED BUT A 0.5 PERCENT DECREASE FROM THE 15,813 DROPOUTS IN 1961-62. AN ANALYSIS OF DATA SHEETS OBTAINED FOR 12,721 DROPOUTS REVEALED--(1) THE LARGEST NUMBER DROPPED OUT AT AGE 16 AND FROM GRADE 8, (2) THE DROPOUT PATTERN SUGGESTED…

This issue of CURRENTS reviews some of the general findings on the dropout, and outlines approaches that have proven effective at various types of institutions in reducing dropout rates. Most of the programs examined here are aimed at early identification of the potential dropout and prevention of his withdrawal through the provision of special…

The Metropolitan Youth Education Center in Denver (Colorado) offers flexible scheduling, small classes, and a broad range of courses to help high school dropouts earn diplomas. (MLF)

Questions the recent idea that students must stay in school through the 12th grade. Describes programs that have been developed in the Colorado Springs (Colorado) area to cope with the dropout problem. (Author/WD)

Examines student perceptions about dropping out of school through single-session interviews with four former students, one female and three males. Includes brief profiles of each student, a summary of their school records, and reports of extensive interviews with the four students. Draws implications for dropout-prevention policy and practice.…

In October 2006, a collaborative of cross-sector leaders launched Project U-Turn, a citywide campaign to bring much-needed attention to Philadelphia's dropout crisis and to build the collective will to resolve it. In addition to increasing public awareness of the issue in a variety of ways, Project U-Turn's work has resulted in significant…

Understanding why students drop out is important in developing effective dropout prevention strategies. Traditional research has focused on high school dropouts; recent interest uses a developmental approach and examines possibilities for earlier intervention. Each section of this report analyzes dropout prevention at the preschool, elementary,…

A study of minority youth dropouts in the Pikes Peak region identified the following traits that characterize this group in contrast to their dominant group counterparts: (1) lower socioeconomic status; (2) parents with lower level of educational achievement; (3) parents' greater emphasis on the importance of education; (4) slightly larger…