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)

Recent research on college student attrition is examined for trends, and it is suggested that the common perspective on retention and attrition is too narrow; it should be viewed from three perspectives: within-course retention; program retention; and institutional retention rate. Recommended for retention (R) is early (E) identification (Id) plus…

Describes the Career Exploratory Program, a successful alternative program developed at Mexico Senior High School, Missouri, for ninth and tenth grade students considered to be potential drop-outs, and based on hands-on, prevocational courses in core skill areas. (SR)

Examined effects of counseling program to promote career maturity among youth with learning disabilities and other youth at risk of becoming dropouts. First study involved low-achieving students in integrated career program; second used adolescents with learning disabilities. In both studies, students in intervention condition, in contrast to…

Data from participants in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (582 in 1986, 674 in 1988, 675 in 1989, and 233 after addition of Head Start and Women, Infants, Children) showed that clients in modified program had higher education levels, incomes, and dietary quality. Retention was higher for less educated persons; most attrition was…

Responses to a questionnaire administered to 252 full-time freshmen enrolled in at least 1 remedial course indicated that academic boredom exists and may be related to the following factors: a conflict between student expectations and reality and unmet student need for a high degree of classroom stimulation. (Author/MLW)

Reviews school behavior and attendance policies in Canada as they relate to student attrition. Discusses a sample of schools in which policies have been revised to provide alternative programs to meet the needs of all students, especially those at risk. These schools work with other social agencies to address problems associated with high dropout…

Suggests that the high dropout rate among first-year students in French universities is due in part to economic factors, which push some students into attending school when work is scarce. Differentiates between those who enter school to invest in the future and those who enter by default. (Contains 71 references.) (NB)

Investigates the relationship between stressful life change events and coping strategies, and high school completion status among early adolescents. Discriminant analysis was used to build a prediction model and indicated that the coping factors of Social Activities and Seeking Professional Support significantly predicted high school dropout…