Describes a study in Israel that was conducted to examine the attitudes of dropout adolescents to electronic learning and to compare these to the attitudes of normative 10th graders. Considers demographic differences, including parents' education and computer ownership; motivation; enjoyment; cognition; and accessibility of computers. (LRW)

Discussion of high school dropouts highlights the development of a computer learning laboratory that was used with at-risk high school students. The assessment of students' skills in language and reading is described, software that focused on these areas is discussed, and the results of pretests and posttests is reported. (Seven references) (LRW)

Reports on the IBM Educational Systems' 1988 Schools Partnership Executive Conference that focused on what schools can do about the literacy problem. Highlights include computers in the classroom; the importance of success in early grades; bilingual education; dropout prevention; adult literacy; funding; substance abuse; and software for special…

Reveals findings of a longitudinal study concerning high school dropout rates among African-American students. Identifies a link between maternal educational attainment and the likelihood that a child will complete high school. Concludes that initially poor academic performance, aggressive behavior, and poverty increase the likelihood of…

This study found that a linear discriminant function was able, with 73 percent accuracy, to distinguish between learning-disabled dropouts (n=213) and learning-disabled graduates (n=92). The discriminant function was composed of six variables--student ethnicity, reading ability, family intactness, family socioeconomic status, school transfers, and…

Educational tracking of 232 English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) high school students in Alberta (Canada) found a drop-out rate of 74%. The drop-out rate varied dramatically with student's English language proficiency upon entry to high school. Evidence of drop-out subcategories termed "fall-out" and "push-out" indicates the need…

Discusses a survey of nonreturning students at Cuyamaca College (California), distinguishing between positive attrition (successful nonreturners) and negative attrition (unsuccessful nonreturners). Compares two groups in terms of goals, employment, satisfaction with college, high school performance, gender, and ethnicity. Recommends…

Describes the evolution of alternative schools from progressive learner-centered free schools founded in the 1960s to the present emphasis on at-risk students. Outlines three models of alternative schools and discusses successful strategies and essential characteristics of effective schools for at-risk youth. Emphasizes the importance of…

A survey of 498 undergraduate students withdrawing from a Canadian university was used to develop a model of student attrition. Students frequently attributed withdrawal to personal characteristics, institutional factors, and societal variables. Student academic performance was a causal factor for university-initiated withdrawal, and student…

Examines reasons for early school dropout among high school students and their plans to resume their education. Dropout data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 reveal various reasons for dropping out that include school-related, family-related, and job-related causes, as well as influences from peers and residential mobility.…

This article draws on the Students Completing Schooling Project, conducted in Australia, which has developed an account of early school leaving though listening to how 209 young people made sense of their experiences of leaving school. In this study, we were keen to understand the way young people deliberate upon how schooling fits into their…

This qualitative research study was conducted at one alternative high school to examine why traditional high school dropouts attend alternative schools. Data were gathered over three stages of research during a 2-year period. Sources of data included 105 hours of site observations, student interviews, and the review of site documents. The data…

Psychiatric outpatient clinics report that between 20 and 57% of their potential clients fail to return after the first visit. To examine the effectiveness of videotaped, systematic client preparation on dropout rate in short-term psychotherapy, 66 adult, beginning psychotherapy clients were randomly assigned either to a control or experimental…

Peers chosen on the basis of their popularity and positive involvement in the educational process were found to be effective enhancers of attendance for chronic absentees. The judicious use of situational and interpersonal reinforcement can modify a student's behavior even in a region as indifferent to education as Appalachia. (EH)

The Amarpurkashi Village Project in India is an example of a total rural development program that encourages the school-leaving generation to remain. Focus is on the Agro-Industrial Polytechnic that provides training for self-employment and agro-industrial employment. Its approach is an evolving one directed to the rural population. (EA)