Concept of "special education" focuses on schools' duty to develop programs that include and educate even the most difficult of the disabled. The concept of "school failure" puts the responsibility on the students, excluding them, though they also have a "disability.""Zero reject" concept, which includes all students, is recommended. (PS)

Educators concerned with promoting autonomy of high school dropouts face a dilemma between accepting the students' decision or trying to change the decision. A nontraditional program is described that offers dropouts alternative ways to learn while promoting self-autonomy. A case study of a potential high school dropout is described. (DF)

The formation of a psychotherapy relationship was studied using self-reports of clients and therapists. Items designed as measures of a set of dimensions considered salient to the process of therapy were incorporated into client and therapist report forms. A number of client and therapist dimensions predicted persistence in treatment. (Author)

This report examines the pathways of recent school leavers who enter the higher education sector in Australia. The focus is on the first three years after completing senior secondary school. The report has four broad aims: (1) to provide estimates of the proportions of entrants who change courses or leave the higher education sector before…

This paper addresses the debate over high school graduation rates, examining how the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has redirected attention toward graduation rates. It introduces provisions of the NCLB pertaining to high school graduation, discussing implications from a measurement perspective, and presents strategies for developing a…

Approximately 9 out of 10 high school students who have access to a home computer use that computer to complete school assignments. Using the Computer and Internet Use Supplements to the 2001 Current Population Survey, this study explores whether access to home computers increases the likelihood of school enrollment among teenagers who have not…

The objective of the Australian Commonwealth's Full Service Schools (FSS) Program has been to provide additional support to schools to develop innovative programs and arrangements that address the specific needs of students who are considered at risk of not completing Year 12 to a satisfactory level. The target group has been students primarily 16…

This paper discusses the importance of helping at-risk students avoid dropping out of school by providing an appropriate curriculum for them. If school systems are to achieve greater educational success with at-risk students, they must move beyond traditional approaches. They can do this by: identifying and helping students who demonstrate little…

In recent years, the federal government has designated 105 communities across the country, including many urban neighborhoods, as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities (EZ/ECs). At the same time, many urban school districts have launched school-to-career initiatives to help keep at-risk youth in school and improve their academic achievement…

This study attempted to track students (n=2,077) who entered the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities campus) in 1986 but had not completed a degree at that institution within eight years of matriculation. The study utilized the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office's statewide database which allowed researchers to determine if, when, and…

Two of the most important indicators of the educational system's success are the rates that young people complete and drop out of school each year. The Common Core of Data (CCD) survey system of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) annually collects information about public school dropouts and completers. This report presents the…

Florida finds an effective combination for attacking the dropout problem. (Editor)

Studies a sample of Mexican-American students identified as potential dropouts and finds drug use is widespread. Cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol are used by the majority of students. "Social" drugs are used more often. Students do not think that general drug use causes social problems; however, girls' attitudes differ from boys'. (Author/BEF)