The academic achievement and attrition rates of mainland Puerto Rican college students and island-born Puerto Rican students are compared. (RLV)

Explores self-esteem in a group of recent school-leavers (N=3,066). Results indicate that self-esteem was significantly lower in economically underemployed groups, relative to the adequately employed, after controlling for early self-esteem and other factors. No differences in self-esteem emerged among the economically underemployed groups. (RJM)

This study explored predictors of graduating from versus dropping out of high school for 664 youths with severe emotional disturbances. Results indicate that almost 50% of the sample dropped out of high school. Participation in school-based counseling and vocational education was significantly associated with high school graduation. (Author/CR)

Examines the paradox of strong individual demand and strong institutional support for the General Educational Development (GED) credential despite educational and economic returns markedly lower than those of traditional high school graduates, suggesting that the GED program is a low-cost way to integrate thousands of off-track individuals back…

Examined effects of spatial concentration of Puerto Ricans on the likelihood of high school attrition among Puerto Rican adolescents. Using census data, found that neighborhoods with very high concentrations of Puerto Ricans did significantly increase the risk of high school attrition among adolescent Puerto Ricans regardless of family background…

Assessed perceptions of college students who chose not to return to school in the spring semester. They rated 13 key attributes related to campus-support activities and the core benefits of attending the institution. Found that advising played an important role in non-returning students' perceptions of benefits offered by the university. (EV)

Investigated the timing of dropout by college students over a 5-year period. Found that factors that affect student dropout often have effects that change over time. For instance, students who receive financial aid generally have lower dropout rates than non-aided students, but dropout rates vary depending on the amount and timing of student…

Investigates the effectiveness of an ecologically oriented approach in changing the self-concepts of 80 high-risk adolescents. Participants were administered a self-esteem scale before and after an eight-week psychoeducational program designed for dropout prevention. Results indicated significant reductions in dropout rates and increased…

Explores the relation between reason for dropping out and substance use in Mexican American and White adolescents. Results revealed that for Mexican American adolescents, substance use was highest among those who left school to be with their friends and lowest among those who left for family-related reasons. Among White adolescents, there were no…

A survey of dropouts from a workplace General Educational Development class received 37 responses (33%). The highest rated deterrent to participation was time constraints; clique members were more affected by this factor than were isolates. Males had higher dropout rates and they considered the program a lower personal priority than did females.…

This study sought to determine differences in expressed attitudes of social alienation between 20 learning-disabled (LD) school completers and 17 LD school dropouts. Results indicated that dropouts felt more socially alienated toward classmates and teachers than school completers did. Risk models for LD school dropouts should include social…

The dropout problem among Hispanics may be less severe than it appears, since many Hispanics have arrived here very recently. Given time, funding, and a willingness to join the mainstream, Hispanics should progress as have other groups. (DM)

Examined the incidence of student mobility between the 8th and 12th grades and its effect on high school completion using the National Educational Longitudinal Survey third follow-up. Findings suggest that student mobility is both a symptom of disengagement and an important risk factor for high school dropout. (SLD)

Focuses on poor grades, one of the primary reasons students drop out of school. Recommends that borderline students be earmarked for special treatment rather than be held to rigorous academic standards or passed when they are actually failing. Suggests that operational procedures for the implementation of special treatment be pedagogically…

Uses event-history analysis to explore whether and how grade retention influenced graduation outcomes for a cohort of 707 youths from an urban school system. Repeating a grade from kindergarten to grade 6 was associated with an increase in the odds of dropping out. Explores the impact of being over age for grade. (SLD)