In response to "The Bell Curve," notes that the effects of IQ on crime and delinquency are mediated by gender and age in a fashion that is not readily explained by a reduction to genetic differences. Discusses possible interrelationships among IQ, delinquency, and school performance, and suggests that the causal link between IQ and…

Evaluated effects of Mississippi Department of Corrections' Project AWARE Program, nonconfrontational prisoner-run juvenile delinquency deterrence program. Compared offenses and school attendance records of 97 adjudicated juvenile delinquent males who attended program and 79 adjudicated nonparticipants. Program participation did not appear to…

Examined career aspirations of pregnant teenagers (n=94) enrolled in program designed to minimize their chances of dropping out of high school. Adolescents completed demographic data form that included questions on career aspirations. Data were coded by Holland type. Data revealed number of trends with implications for career counseling of these…

Synthesizes existing literature on group counseling and psychotherapy with Asian Americans. Provides some guidelines on how to prevent premature terminations among these clients. Concludes that success with Asian American clients in group counseling and psychotherapy will rest largely on the group leader's ability and willingness to acquire…

Investigated relationship between students' academic self-concept, their achievement-related expectancies, and their subsequent college persistence among 2,324 first-year college students who were tracked for 4 consecutive academic years. Results revealed that student self-perceptions of academic ability and expectations for academic performance…

Reviews the progress of Blacks in northern urban schools from World War II to the present. Finds that the problems of academic achievement among Blacks remain severe because of the persistence of racism. (DM)

Fixed-effect estimates of the impact of vocational rehabilitation on longitudinal earnings were determined for vocational rehabilitation clients with disabilities and a comparison group who dropped out prior to rehabilitation. Women experienced significant earnings increases, despite fairly comparable rehabilitation costs. (SK)

An evaluation of dropout rates in an adult basic education agency evolved into a process of critical thinking about program philosophy and function. Although philosophical differences emerged regarding organizational goals, teacher and learner roles, and curriculum, the critical evaluation process resulted in individual and collective growth in…

Butler County (Pennsylvania) Vo-Tech motivates better attendance and achievement through an incentive program with tangible rewards such as the Win-a-Car contest. A two-day self-esteem program involves action-oriented experiential learning activities designed to develop leadership, teamwork, self-esteem, and problem-solving skills. (SK)

Puerto Ricans are among the poorest and least well educated of Hispanic Americans and continue to drop out of school at a high rate. Recommends peer counseling programs, because there are few Puerto Rican teachers or other professionals to serve as role models. (DM)

Milwaukee's school choice pilot program allows 1,000 of the city's poorest students to attend nonsectarian private schools with taxpayer-financed vouchers. Only 600 of Milwaukee's 98,000 public school students applied for vouchers, although 55,000 met income requirements. Only 400 slots were available for voucher students in the 7 participating…

Although numbers such as average test scores or dropout rates can capture part of a school system's success or failure, school statistics seldom tell the whole story. School board members should realize that numbers might measure compliance or process, rather than improvement. Also, improvements in numbers might reflect changes in assessment…

Dropout prevention programs in schools must work with the community to meet the needs of students and families. Types of parent and school-community involvement include parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, and representing other parents. (JOW)

Technology in alternative-education programs can help retain at-risk secondary students. Technology can also help physically challenged students participate in classroom activities. (SK)

Studies youths' motivation for school attendance. Survey results suggest that the motivations for high school dropouts were consistent with those of nondropouts. Comparisons showed both groups to be comparable in terms of the relative influence of socialization, extracurricular activities, and pleasing an authority. (MMU)