This technical report addresses the complexities of calculating dropout rates and presents results from one method of calculation that represented Chicago Public Schools (CPS) dropout rates over several years. The goal was to develop an indicator that would provide accurate and comparable measurement over a sufficient length of time to reveal the…

A dynamic computer simulation of the four year college student has been conducted using the methods of system dynamics. (Author)

The reference work is divided into two primary sections: A. Antecedent of Early School Leaving, and B. Consequences of Early School Leaving. Abstracts are alphebetically entered under author, listed in five major world areas: (1) United States and Canada, (2) Europe and USSR, (3) Middle East and Africa, (4) Latin America, and (5) Asia. (JB)

Described are the items, format, factor structure, and application of a 23 item Semantic Differential type Dropout Prediction Scale. (Author)

Shows that the generally high returns to high school graduation are not universal. For some specific occupations, completing high school is not economically justifiable. (BH)

Study made at Brooklyn, City, Hunter and Queens Colleges of the City University of New York compared the number of students in 1955 and 1960 freshman classes who graduated, and documented findings relative to reasons for withdrawal. (AD)

The intent of the retention effort at Pacific Lutheran University was to analyze the actual retention figures for the University, to gain an understanding of factors related to student retention, and to devise intervention recommendations to improve retention. Recommendations produced changes and the retention of freshmen students showed…

Older adults in long-term care (n=24) participated in computer training. After 15 months, only 5 continued to participate, using computers for e-mail, information seeking, and games. Barriers to continued participation included physical and cognitive factors, personal characteristics, technical issues, institutional factors, and physical…

Reviews a troubling report of a nationwide study of U.S. public high school graduation rates that revealed that fewer students were graduating from high school in the United States than is being reported by school districts, states, and the National Center for Education Statistics. Discusses the implications of these findings for counselors and…

This survey of Australian college students provides support for an alternative explanation of attrition for a specific group of university students: students who planned to withdraw from their original program of study after facilitating entry to another undergraduate degree. (EV)

Reviews research on the connection between involvement with Greek-letter organizations and college student retention, concluding that although such organizations pose substantial risks and effort for colleges, they may also offer retention gains. (EV)

The enrollment records of 380 medical students were compared with students' performance on clinical rotation and the National Board of Medical Examiners, Part II examination. Although students who had interrupted their progress in medical school for neutral reasons performed similarly to regular-progress students, students who interrupted progress…

Investigated contradictions between the complex reasons why a percentage of English college students dropped out and the simplistic funding and policy assumptions about such "failures." Many factors influencing non-completion lay beyond students' and educational providers' control. Causes of dropping out may be better explained in the…

Conducted interviews with 39 young adults in the Netherlands who left school very early and followed their career development for an average of 5.5 years after dropping out. Approximately one in five students returned to school and achieved the educational attainment desired by the Dutch government. A similar number returned to schooling but did…

Analyzed data for three cohorts of male, African-American community college students in a longitudinal design for three semesters, and used logistic regression to identify factors that best predict retention. Found that high school grades, age, number of courses, a positive view of personal skills, clear high goals, and the early identification of…